Barnes & NobleRock by Rock- The Fantastical Garden of Nek Chand by Jennifer Bradbury

Packed with bright illustrations

I love reading about true events, especially when they're presented in well-done, picture book format and suitable for younger readers. And this book fits both categories nicely. Nek Chand lived in Pakistan but ended up moving to India due to religious reasons. His heart, however, never left his small hometown. One day, while walking in a forest near the city, he runs into a clearing and finds himself remembering his younger days. Soon, he's bringing unused building materials from his job and other 'garbage' he finds on the streets, to construct all sorts of statues and things. His hobby grows until a garden forms. But his secret is soon discovered, and his happy place is threatened to be torn down. I'd never heard of Nek Chand before reading this and was glad to get to know all about him and his garden. Since many young listeners won't be overly familiar with India, the book starts out with some very light, quick background information before diving into Nek's story. The writing is probably more for ages 5 to 8, but the vocabulary as well as the amount of text is at a level this age group will easily understand. Not only the building of Nek's background is presented, but also the difficulties which later arise as it's almost destroyed. Even this is shown in an age appropriate manner. The way the problem is solved is inspiring, not only because it encourages young listeners to perhaps chase their own dreams, but shows that supporting others does make a difference. The illustrations in this one are bright and bold with just the right amount of artistic flair. India's culture and people are presented in the pictures, allowing young listeners to learn more about the country and people simply by gazing at the pictures. There is also a more detailed explanation surrounding Nek and his garden at the end of the book. This is a lovely book, not only as a read aloud between adults and a child, but also works well for group settings and those wanting to learn a little bit more about India. I received a complimentary copy and found it colorful as well as interesting.