January 29, 2024
Wearing a weather-worn apron and pulling her shopping cart, a grandmother makes the trek from the top of her apartment tower in southwest China to a busy market. Passersby look on as she “does things that may seem funny or strange,” including opting for damaged produce left behind by market vendors. What they don’t know is that Granny finds a use for everything as she, in an impressive solo effort, grows a rooftop garden from scratch. Expressive colored pencil illustration gives life to the vegetables as Granny sees them (“my gorgeous, chubby veggie children”). At harvest time, Granny enthusiastically shares her abundance with neighbors and shows off her cooking prowess as well, whipping up a farm-to-table feast for guests before sending them home with the bounty. Wei’s whimsical vegetable-studded spreads complement rhythmic text in this buoyant, character-driven debut. Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. An author’s note concludes. Ages 4–8.