A cumulative text in the style of “The House That Jack Built” describes the activity in a “busy green garden” where a “surprise in clever disguise” hangs. Illustrations focus on a single garden, the one constant being a long-stemmed plant with green leaves and hanging yellow flowers. Sometimes the plant is seen up close, sometimes as part of the larger garden-scape. The dramatic, ever- building chain of events includes a variety of flora and fauna, with predators never quite getting their prey. (“This is an earthworm that creeps up and down, / dodging the hummingbird fluttering ’round … ”). The satisfying reveal of the surprise comes with the emergence of a large yellow butterfly from the leaf- like chrysalis that’s been camouflaged on the plant. Informational end matter includes more about the critters that appear. (Ages 3-7)

So begins this lyrical tribute to the bugs, bees, and birds that make the garden such a busy place. With each turned page, more visitors appear, and all the while the “surprise”—a chrysalis—changes unnoticed until, on the last page, a butterfly emerges and flies away across the garden’s well-tended borders. Back-of-book notes about the natural histories of the garden’s denizens complete this lovely and lively portrait of backyard nature, which is also a gentle meditation on the rewards of paying attention. A chipmunk hides on every page to divert and engage young readers.Fountas & Pinnell Level O

This is my busy green garden.

There’s a surprise

In clever disguise,

That hangs in my busy green garden.

This is a ladybug dawdling so,

Near the surprise, in clever disguise,

That hangs in my busy green garden.

This is a honeybee buzzing below

The red spotted ladybug dawdling so,

Near the surprise, in clever disguise,

That hangs in my busy green garden.