“Beautifully illustrated. . . . Told in spare poetic language, the pictures play a major role. Smith’s watercolor and gouache paintings exquisitely capture the light in Baba’s kitchen, and cars’ headlights in the rain. . . . By the time we’ve finished [this] book, one boy’s Baba is our Baba. . . .”—The New York Times
★ “[A] tender story. . . . Smith’s observational prowess is a perfect match for this story of quiet, contemplative moments of profound meaning, his nuanced and expressive watercolors capturing years of struggle and sorrow on Baba’s face—but also the abundant love she feels for her grandson. . . .”—The Horn Book, Starred Review
★ “Together, Scott and Smith create a portrait of a love which needs few words.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
★ “Scott’s poetic sensibilities distill the days into meaningful moments and images, sometimes captured in similes. . . . Smith’s warm gouache-and-watercolor scenes are filled with gentle gestures and connection. . . . A quiet, tender, and profoundly moving celebration of intergenerational love.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
★ “Share this heartfelt testament to family widely.”—Booklist, Starred Review
★ “A beautiful tale of family and the love shared between a child and grandparent. . . . Gorgeous illustrations brim with emotional use of dappled light and color. . . . This is outstanding storytelling in a marvelous picture book that deserves a place in all collections. . . . This intergenerational story will provide young people with an opportunity to share those special bonds they have with an older person and hopefully encourage them to reflect on the simple acts that connect one generation to the next.”—School Library Journal, Starred Review
“Heart-tugging. . . . Smith is an illustrator well suited to capturing a nonverbal bond. As in I Talk Like a River, his dense watercolor and gouache art has a shimmery, textured richness. . . . My Baba’s Garden hints at themes like immigration, poverty, loss and the end of life, but the narrative works beautifully at its most basic level: it’s a love letter from a grandchild to a grandparent.”—Shelf Awareness
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