The Hollyhock Wall

cloth, 32 p., $15.99.

Illustrations composed of colorful fabric, clay figures, found objects and live plant materials transport young readers into this delightful fantasy about a girl who creates a garden in an old kitchen pot. Artist Salley Mavor has provided scenes resembling dollhouses that, together with the well-written text, allow little Mary's entrance into the world she has created — one with a playmate named Tom. In addition to encouraging container gardening, this special book provides ideas for creative play indoors and outdoors as well as a place to start discussion about what is real and unreal. The sites made from mosses, ferns and blooming plants are a wonderful contrast to the fabricated garden pictured earlier in the book, and both have a hollyhock wall. Parents and teachers alike will appreciate the benefits of this book, a great collaborative effort. For young people, ages 4-7.

— Nancy H. McCray