Winner of the 2016 Governor General's Literary Award for Young People's Literature - Illustrated Books

Tokyo lives in a small house between giant buildings with his family and his cat, Kevin. For years, highways and skyscrapers have been built up around the family's house where once there were hills and trees. Will they ever experience the natural world again?

One day, an old woman offers Tokyo seeds, telling him they will grow into whatever he wishes. Tokyo and his grandfather are astonished when the seeds grow into a forest so lush that it takes over the entire city overnight. Soon the whole city has gone wild, with animals roaming where cars once drove. But is this a problem to be surmounted, or a new way of living to be embraced?

With Tokyo Digs a Garden, Jon-Erik Lappano and Kellen Hatanaka have created a thoughtful and inspiring fable of environmentalism and imagination.

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.1
With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.6
With prompting and support, name the author and illustrator of a story and define the role of each in telling the story.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7
Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.

About the Author
JON-ERIK LAPPANO's debut picture book, Tokyo Digs a Garden, illustrated by Kellen Hatanaka, won the Governor General's Literary Award and was a finalist for the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award and Japan's Sakura Medal. He has also written Maggie's Treasure, illustrated by Kellen Hatanaka, to wide acclaim, and Song for the Snow, illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler. Jon-Erik lives in Stratford, Ontario, with his family. Kellen Hatanaka is a designer and illustrator who lives in Toronto, Canada, with his wife, Kiersten. He is also the author and illustrator of Work: An Occupational ABC.

Reviews
. . . a thing of beauty. * The New York Times *
...fantastic...Highly recommended -- Andrew Kaufman * Globe and Mail *
The text is neither too simple nor too complex but just what is needed to relate this imaginative tale of environmentalism. * School Library Journal, review *
A challenging 21st-century fable sure to spark discussions. * Kirkus Reviews *
TOKYO DIGS A GARDEN will resonate with many urban children and their parents who may seek the rural outdoors whenever possible. * CM Magazine *
In this haunting modern-day fairy tale from newcomer Lappano, nature, long pushed out of a city, pushes back. * Publishers Weekly *
The resulting absolutely delightful sustainability-manifesto is made even more stupendous with Hatanaka's witty, entertaining, sly illustrations . . . * BookDragon *
Kids of all ages will respond to the deep messages embedded in the fertile soil of Tokyo Digs A Garden. * Midwest Book Review *


Awards
Winner of Governor General's Literary Award, Young People's Literature - Illustrated Books 2016 (Canada). Commended for Toronto Public Library's First and Best List 2016 (Canada) and CBC Best Books of 2016 2016 (Canada) and TD Summer Reading Club Top Recommended Reads 2016 (Canada) and CCBC Best Books for Children and Teens, starred selection 2016 (Canada). Short-listed for Sakura Award 2017 (Japan) and TD Canadian Children's Literature Award 2017 (Canada) and Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award 2016 (Canada). Long-listed for Green Earth Book Award 2017 (United States).



Book Information
ISBN 9781554987986
Author Jon-Erik Lappano
Format Hardback
Page Count 32
Imprint Groundwood Books Ltd ,Canada
Publisher Groundwood Books Ltd ,Canada
Weight(grams) 453g
Dimensions(mm) 212mm * 279mm * 11mm