THE WHOLE GREEN WORLD
Written by Tony Johnston, Illustrated by Elisa Kleven
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005
After putting on her red shoes, a girl and her shaggy dog set out to plant the whole world. During the course of their imaginary journey they have many helpers - birds, insects, and sun among them - and then return home to wait for the magic of spring. A catchy and rhythmic poem and collages infused with a riot of detail and color make this the perfect book for those who cherish all the things that beautify the earth.
“ Amid swirls of brightly colored birds, bugs, seeds, leaves, wild creatures, buildings, and people, a child ties her shoes, then goes out to plant, nurture, and spread a garden -- all to the tune of Johnston’s song-like verses: “I’ve got a little pair of shoes./(How I love my little shoes)/Got a little pair of shoes/to dance the whole green world.” Young children will happily dance along -- if they can tear themselves away from Kleven’s paint and decorated paper collages, that is."
-- Kirkus
“This could be the happiest book this side of spring!”
--Children’s Literature
“Johnston’s language is playful and reads aloud smoothly...kids could spend hours just looking at everything in the pictures.” -- School Library Journal
