The Dog's Gardener

 

Written by Patricia Storms

Illustrated by Nathalie Dion

Groundwood Books

978-1-77306-256-3

36 pp.

Ages 4-7

April 2021

Depending on where you are located in Canada, Patricia Storms's story of The Dog's Gardener may already be in full swing or just starting, or perhaps a few weeks away if there are still occasional frosts. But, as the gardening season slowly ramps up, you know there are dogs like Dutch who are ready for the outdoors.

 

From The Dog's Gardener by Patricia Storms, illus. by Nathalie Dion

Told from a dog's perspective, The Dog's Gardener recounts a day of togetherness. From the early morning when Dutch hears her footsteps but waits for her to wake him up, pretending "to be asleep, just so I can hear her gentle voice."  And...

Then I wait for those beautiful words.

"Okay, Dutch. Let's go outside."

With that, the two companions make their way outdoors to an expansive garden of trees, flowers, and vegetables.

From The Dog's Gardener by Patricia Storms, illus. by Nathalie Dion

He knows her routines, from her heading to the dark and dusty shed that frightens him, to her midday rest at the great stump. And he has his own routines, waiting outside as she gets her tools from the little house, to rolling in the grass and napping at her feet when she rests, and anticipating the delight that comes with the turning on of the water hose.

From The Dog's Gardener by Patricia Storms, illus. by Nathalie Dion

Their day of gardening is a lesson in mindfulness, focusing on the task at hand, whether it be digging, watering, rolling or resting. And it's about being together with someone who is different and appreciates the same things but differently.

The Dog's Gardener is a lazy, summertime read of such depth of feeling between a dog and a human that the outdoors almost feels like another character in their story. Patricia Storms, whose picture books include Moon Wishes and Never Let You Go, conveys that contentment of task and company, together but separate, each pursuing outdoor joy, ending her story, as the pair head inside at the end of the day, with a single significant word: together.

Nathalie Dion, whose illustrations graced both The Big Bad Wolf in My House and I Found Hope in a Cherry Tree, does well in creating artwork for stories with emotional connections between characters, even if those characters are non-human. Because the relationship in The Dog's Gardener is one of serenity and affection, Nathalie Dion's illustrations, which are created with hand-painted gouache textures combined with painting using a digital pastel brush, are reflective of its uplifting nature. The colours are warm and bright, the activity of dog and human are distinct and harmonious, and the story moves gently from morning to end of day.

For dog-lovers and gardeners, The Dog's Gardener is a complete package of fellowship and appreciation for the now, of undertakings and of company, of surroundings and of inclinations. For those who are neither, The Dog's Gardener is what we should be: mindful of what we're doing and with whom and appreciating every positive moment.