CLARE BEATON'S GARDEN RHYMES

This diminutive board book of garden-themed nursery rhymes is illustrated with sewn fabric scenes.

Seven traditional nursery rhymes set in the garden are featured here, one to a spread. They range from well-known verses such as “Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary” and “Lavender Blue” to more obscure ones, like “Daffodil Song” and “I Had a Little Cherry Stone.” Beaton’s signature fabric illustrations are clearly meant to take center stage here. Each one is a scene carefully stitched and brought to life with small pieces of cloth and thread, lending them the old-fashioned charm of a sampler or quilt. Beaton’s style fits well with the traditional nursery-rhyme content, and adults will appreciate the creativity, skill and effort involved here. Little ones, on the other hand, may be less impressed by the illustrations—which are rather muted in comparison to the high-contrast lines and bold art that bring to life many of today’s board books—although they will certainly enjoy the rhythm and sounds of the selected verses. Beaton’s Animal Rhymes collects seven animal-related nursery rhymes with illustrations in the same distinctive style.

The small size and detail-oriented pictures suit this sweet fabric bonbon to one-on-one sharing.