The Gardener's Surprise

Although he works as a train mechanic, Andy’s real passion is gardening: he loves flowers so much that his little apartment is full of plants of all shapes and sizes. When a company offers him a new job with a good salary and a house with a big garden, Andy accepts without hesitation, unaware that maybe he’s putting at risk things much more important than his job or his hobby…

Overflowing with imagination and illustrations that capture all of the beauty of the world of flowers, The Gardener’s Surprise is a moving story about the importance of our beliefs in our daily lives, as well as a celebration of personal passions as excellent ways of achieving happiness.

Lexile Level 870L
Guided Reading Level P

Carla Balzaretti was born in Argentina, one autumn day in 1978. Since little was devoted to inventing stories even when not even know how to write. He studied education and worked for seven years as editor. She has published several books for preschoolers, including Principe de dos palacios.

Sonja Wimmer is an award-winning illustrator whose work has been featured in books, posters, and magazines. Her books include Could It Happen to Anyone? (Honorable Mention as Best Children's Picture Book-Spanish at the 2012 International Latino Book Awards), A Night Time Story (Silver Medal Winner at the 2013 Independent Publisher Book Awards), The Word Collector (which earned her Best Illustrator at the 2011 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards and which won Second Best Children's Picture Book-English at the 2012 International Latino Book Awards), The Sky of Afghanistan (Gold Medal Winner at the 2012 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards), Story of a Cockroach (Best Cover Illustration at the 2012 International Latino Book Awards), Walking Through a World of Aromas (Second Best Children's Fiction Picture Book-English at the 2013 International Latino Book Awards), and John's Whistle.