I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

The Garden and the Glen is a beautifully told and reflective fable that reminds us and teaches us about courage, acceptance, diversity, and standing up for what you believe in.
Although this is a children's book, it made my heart warm with the beautiful messages it conveys for children and which sadly are very much needed to be taught to them today in the world we live in.
We follow the story of a little blue butterfly sho is chased away from a garden because she doesn't belong or fit in there. Through this, she meets many new friends and finds companionship, safety, friendship, and acceptance, and her kindheartedness really shines through when she decides to help those who shunned her.
The illustrations are gentle and calming and make the audience feel relaxed and safe.
It's definitely a book I would recommend to any parent or educational setting!

Colorfully illustrated, with a simple but important message, The Garden and the Glen is a good book for young readers to learn about the importance of diversity and valuing each community member individually and as a part of the whole. Each character has an important role to play in righting the wrongs in the garden, which ultimately unites everyone in a peaceful queendom.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy in return for an honest review.

What a beautifully illustrated book! The story shows that there is no need to impress others, just be yourself. There are all sort of people/animals out in the world; some are nice and some are not so nice. You have the ones that will protect you no matter what (even if they don't know you) and others that will look the other way. This book tells that life with animals can be the same as life with people. This is a good read aloud book, I think would be perfect for 3rd to 5th grade.

The artwork is beautiful. I wish this were either a graphic novel, or a picture book. The story seemed choppy, it just didn't flow well going between the different groups of characters. I also think it would be better suited to pick one lesson and focus on that. I feel like we were on a path for one lesson then just abruptly turned off for another one.

The premise of the book talks about courage to be different and is wonderfully narrated through anthropomorphic woodlands animals to weave a moralistic story about belonging and acceptance of people and the need to build a community, especially in these polarising times of 2024.

Written from the POV of woodland creatures, and told over 16 chapters; small enough for young readers and engaging enough for the older ones, the story follows the journey of a blue butterfly chased away by a swarm of yellow butterflies because she is not yellow in colour. She finds refuge in the glen nearby, where she finds others, bunnies, deers, fishes, and frog, cardinals, and lilies, all having formed their own community after being chased away by the yellow butterflies. The glen provides the blue butterfly with safety, and a sense of belonging. A plea of help from the Queen of the yellow butterflies has the blue butterfly in a flutter. What follows through is a lesson in overcoming bullying and fear by having the courage to stand up for one self and showing character in times of needs.

What struck me whilst reading the book was the repeated use of colours — red, brown, grey, green, purple, orange highlighting hte diversity of our word. The illustrations by Maggie Green, in soft pastels blending in thoughtfully with the author's message, and the message is clear — embrace our own differences as well as the uniqueness of others around us.

Phwoar! This is a real stunner. I have been hunting high and low for books that are suitable for Y 2-3 students that are a tiny bit longer and not humorous. I love funny stories, so do my students, but they need to have a wider reading spectrum. This one is just perfect. It has an uplifting moral message and beautiful illustration. Will definitely use it in my courses.

The Garden and the Glen is about the magic that finds us when we are brave enough to be our unique selves even when the world is trying to convince us that we are unwanted. This is the dugly duckling meets magic.

A small blue butterfly is chased out of a yellow garden because she does not blend in. She flees to the forest of glen, where she encounters a colorful band of woodland creatures, birds, rabbits and deers, all of whom were also expelled from the garden for the same reason-being different.

The glen provides safety, friendship, and acceptance. However, it is the garden that holds the blue butterfly's true destiny.A Queen, a mystical potion, and the fate of their natural world hang in the balance. The blue butterfly, and what makes her different, holds the key.

On top of the story, the beautiful illustration really brings the story to life. The pictures are reminiscent of old fables resembling a kids crayon drawings. Any child reading the book will enjoy it very much.

Pros:

Illustrations: Maggie Green’s illustrations complement the story beautifully. The artwork is bright, colorful, and magical, adding a visual layer that brings the characters and their world to life.

Moral Lessons: The story teaches valuable lessons on standing up for oneself and others, fostering kindness, and accepting our own differences. We live a multicultural world today and these morals are a valuable lessons for any child.

Language and Structure: The simple yet eloquent language is perfect for children aged 6-12. The short chapters and accessible writing style make it suitable for both early readers and for reading aloud.

Cons:

Well, a childrens book can hardly have any cons.

Conclusion

The Garden and the Glen is an enchanting and inspiring tale for children that celebrates individuality and uniqueness. The book’s positive messages, along with its beautiful illustrations, make it a wonderful choice for both young readers and those looking for a story with moral depth with emphasis on kindness and courage.