What Will Grow? illustrated by Susie Ghahremani / boygirlparty
WHAT WILL GROW? is an educational picture book for young readers published in 2017 by Bloomsbury USA — illustrated by Susie Ghahremani / boygirlparty.com, written by nature writer Jen Ward. This is the companion to What Will Hatch?, our previous picture book.
The original paintings were created in gouache on wood, and the book is entirely lettered in my hand.
The book received starred reviews, was selected by the Society of Illustrators in their annual children’s book illustration competition, and was included on several state library reading lists.
“A mighty oak of a book . . . This lyrical picture book about the wonders of seeds will charm readers with its fun gatefolds and softly appealing illustrations of animals and plants.” – starred review, Shelf Awareness
“Quietly lovely . . . Ghahremani’s art is playful yet refined, and the soft textures of the wood she paints on bring warmth to vignettes of dandelion-laden meadows, pumpkins stalked by a fox, and frosty winter fields. Well-integrated gatefolds add drama to some scenes . . . An enchanting vision of how strikingly different seeds and plants can be.” – starred review, Publishers Weekly
“This bucolic companion to Ward’s What Will Hatch? captures the magic and excitement of planting a garden and waiting for it to bloom . . . Four gatefold illustrations will appeal to children’s sense of wonder, and informative back matter instructs aspiring gardeners on when and how to sow the showcased seeds.” – starred review, School Library Journal
Some of my sketches for What Will Grow:
