THE PLANT RESCUER

A gardener’s son discovers that having a plant of his own is a big responsibility.

Little Manny delights in following his father from yard to yard as he tends to flower gardens. Dad “has a gift for growing jungles in the smallest spaces”—even the apartment they share with Nana. Visiting a garden center one day, Manny asks for a plant of his own and comes home with one bigger than he is—one that wilts and shows signs of distress no matter how much he fusses over it. Time for a trip to the public library, where he reads up on finding the best spot for his plant indoors and proper ways to water and fertilize it. Soon his room is filled with luxuriant foliage. “Mijo,” exclaims his father, “let’s share your gift and take cuttings of your amigo to our neighbors.” The size difference between the brown-skinned, bright-eyed child and his leafy amigo in Rivera’s lush, sunny scenes will amuse young readers, and his success may tempt some to see just how green their thumbs might be. The joy Manny, “the youngest gardener in a long line of gardeners,” feels caring for his plant is infectious, especially once he shares his gift with the racially diverse residents of his Nana’s suddenly lush apartment complex. Manny and his family are cued Latine.

Celebrates family roots as well as the pleasure of cultivating, and sharing, new skills.