• Age: 3 to 7
• Grade: p to 2
• Reading age: 3 to 7

In an ordinary garden full of flowers and plants, little Jack and Mr. Gnome live above the ground, while Yvonne the mole, the Field Mouse family, Paulie the earthworm and Colette the ant live below the ground. Everybody is happy in the garden. Until one day, a new seed arrives, which soon sprouts into a plant. As the plant begins to grow (and grow, and grow), its stalk and leaves get in the way of those aboveground, and its roots disrupt the homes and passageways of those underground. Before long, the plant has gotten so large, it has become a huge problem for the garden's residents. So, the friends decided they must chop it down. Unless ... wait! What's that growing on the plant?

In this multilayered (and multilevel!) picture book, international award-winning author-illustrator Marianne Dubuc humorously explores the concept of change as the characters resist but eventually accept the new addition, an excellent example of a growth mindset. The story also highlights the interconnectivity of living things and, thus, the concept of community. Animal habitats and the growth cycle of plants --- from seed to fruit-bearing --- are presented here with easy-to-understand, child-friendly visuals. The winsome illustrations are full of clever details, offering peeks into the animals' fantastical homes, promising something new to discover with every look, and encouraging visual literacy.

Marianne Dubuc studied visual arts and graphic design before beginning her career as an award-winning author and illustrator. In Front of My House, originally published in French as Devant ma maison , is her first book to be published in English. Marianne lives in Montreal, Quebec.

Marianne Dubuc's profile page

A whimsical take on a garden's busy, interconnected ecosystem.

Kirkus Reviews

... this book is equally as much fun as it is educational.

CM Magazine

It presents in simple language ... a view of the interconnectedness of the natural world, and of cooperation in a peaceful community.

Publishers Weekly

... beautifully illustrated ...

ABQLA

... rewarding ...

Quill & Quire