Books with author Garland Sarah

What makes Eddie's garden grow? Earth, rain, sun and all sorts of creatures, of course! Eddie's garden is magnificent, from his stringy bean house to his tall sunflowers. How Eddie's garden grows and develops is clearly told in this gentle story with lively characters and colourful illustrations. The book includes full information on growing a garden like Eddie's in a home garden or even indoors.

It is Granddad's birthday and Eddie is helping Mum make a birthday tea — with Lily's help, of course! Baked apples from their apple tree, eggs from their chickens — soon the table is filled with yummy birthday treats. But what did Lily do with all the carrots? Eddie’s Kitchen features recipes for budding young chefs to make delicious and nutritious treats. Recipes include Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce, Crusty White Bread, Orange Drizzle Cake, and Baked and Buttery Apples.

Spring has come and the garden is looking a bit bare, so it’s off to the garden center for Mum, her little daughter, and the baby. After finally deciding on just the right flowers, seeds, and even a tree, it’s time to go home and plant. This delightful story shows how even a familiar event can be an occasion for joy. Garland’s appealing illustrations are full of visual humor — the tree’s perilous journey home in an old pram, the always-digging family dog — while her simple, child-friendly text is underscored with dry wit that appeals to parents.

Granny’s coming for Christmas, and there’s ever so much to do! There are presents to shop for, Christmas goodies to bake, the tree to dig up and decorate — and of course, the house is a mess. Will they get everything cleaned up and ready in time? What’s that knock at the door? It couldn’t be Granny already . . . could it? Doing Christmas is a warm and lovely reminder that Christmas needn’t be a perfectly orchestrated affair and that the holiday spirit triumphs over all.

Going Shopping portrays one of the most familiar family activities: the trip to the supermarket. Readers follow Mum, her two young daughters, and the family dog as they pile into the car, drive to the grocery, and do the weekly shopping. As in all her books, Garland’s talent for observation turns a mundane experience into an occasion for fun. The minimal text serves as a starting point for Garland’s witty, wonderfully detailed illustrations that engage and delight readers of all ages.

In Going Swimming, Mum, her daughter, and the baby take a trip to the local pool. Young readers follow along as they negotiate the changing rooms, splash about in the water, and coax the reluctant baby to join them. When it’s time to go home, guess who’s having too much fun to leave? Going to a public swimming pool for the first time can be a little bit scary, but this reassuring story, told from a child’s point of view, shows that it can be lots of fun, too.

What’s more fun than a picnic? Readers join Mum, her young daughter, the baby, and the ever-present family dog as they prepare a meal, pack up the pram, and head to the park for a lovely picnic. But who are these uninvited guests . . . ? And where did the dog get to? As in the other titles in this classic series, Garland’s brief text serves as a springboard for her celebrated illustrations. Richly hued and wonderfully detailed, they depict a lovably messy, ordinary family with humor and sympathy.

Mum’s invited the family next door over for tea. So much to do! There are balloons to blow up, cookies, cake, and jam tarts to bake, and of course, the house must be tidied. Coming to Tea follows the adventures of Mum, her little daughter, the baby, and the ever-present family dog as they get ready for their outdoor party. But now that the neighbors have arrived, will the weather spoil the fun? Garland’s whimsical yet realistic illustrations, filled with homey, familiar details, are the perfect complement to this amusing story.