Costa Georgiadis, the presenter of the ABC Gardening Australia show, has written this follow up book in the Costa’s Garden series. His first book focussed on the importance and joys of flowers. This book explores the wonders of fruit – those little treasures that grow on trees and plants. Together with Brenna Quinlan’s colourful illustrations, the picture book is sure to engage the younger 4- to 8-year-old reader to further explore, taste and learn about the differences between fruits and vegetables.
Costa is keen to share some of the wonders of his garden with some visiting children. When he invites them to put on their nature goggles, they are suddenly surrounded by a fruit forest of different shapes sizes and colours of the rainbow. The reader will learn about the life cycle of fruit, how seeds are dispersed, fruit season and some of the cultural rituals and stories that bring people and fruit together. He includes a fond memory of the Georgiades family eating sticky delicious mangoes around the backyard pool. I have a similar family story about juicy watermelon.
Brenna Quinlan has filled the 32 pages with her bright and lively drawings, though I find the big eyes distracting. The text woven into the illustrations, provides an array of information that will whet the appetite of the reader. The book includes fruit descriptors such as sweet, sour, bitter, squishy and firm as well as some wonderful images such as plants are a seed suitcase packed and ready to go and my favourite, Fruit is a parade that excites all our senses.
This is a fun and informative book, filled with stories, ideas and facts about fruit. In true Costa style, he invites the reader to get into the garden and plant a fruit tree which will grow with you, sharing its fruit for years to come.
Costa Georgiadis & Brenna Quinlan
