So heartwarming ❤️. A tale of a grandfather who makes a rock garden behind his home in Japan for when his granddaughter visits in the summer. She loves her time away from the city and with her grandfather, so when she learns he must move because he can no longer care for his house and the rock garden it makes her really upset. But then she gets an idea and decides there’s something she can do for her grandfather that will help both of them carry on their tradition and keep a piece of this special place with them.

That last page really hit my feels. The artwork is also gorgeous throughout, beautiful watercolors with great textures and atmosphere. I particularly love the spread when Ayumi goes back out into the rock garden after learning about her grandfather having to leave. ( )

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss. ( )

"When Mayumi van Horton was born, her grandfather built her a garden.
It sat behind a tidy brown house halfway around the world, and it was unlike any other garden she knew."

Every summer, Mayumi travels to Japan to spend time with Ojiichan and help take care of the garden. But when Ojiichan grows too old to remain in his house alone, Mayumi and her family travel back one last time to help her grandfather move. Sad at the thought that he will have to leave his garden, Mayumi creates a miniature rock garden in a bento box for him. She brings gravel and stones home to create her own, as well.

See also: A Morning with Grandpa by Sylvia Liu; Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina ( )

grandparents, Japanese garden, family ( )