Book Review of Through the Garden Gate
The Children’s Book Review
Through the Garden Gate
Written by Sharon Rose
Illustrated by Erin Brown
Ages: 4-8 | 32 Pages
Publisher: The Collective Book Studio (2026) | ISBN: 978-1-68555-202-2
What to Expect: Gardening, magic, fairies, environmental science, bravery, friendship.
A young boy’s ordinary summer day transforms into an extraordinary adventure when he discovers a hidden, magical world through a tiny gate in his neighbor’s garden.
Bored and looking for excitement, Miles reluctantly agrees to help his neighbor, Miss Mary, with her gardening. After successfully clearing a patch of invasive crabgrass, he discovers a small gate that leads him into a whimsical realm filled with shape-shifting vines, talking birch trees, and helpful fairies. When a massive, stinky bog threatens to destroy both the magical garden and the forest beyond, Miles must use his newfound gardening skills and convince his timid new friends to face the “unknown” to save their home.
Sharon Rose blends fantasy with educational elements beautifully, teaching young readers about real-world plants like phototropic poppies and the mycelium networks that allow trees to “talk”. The pacing of the story is brisk and engaging for a young audience, themes of bravery and environmental stewardship are woven throughout, and she utilizes vivid sensory language, such as the “SQUISH” of mud and the “sparkled” feathers of chicks, to bring the setting to life.
The illustrations also play a crucial role in world-building as Erin Brown’s visual details beautifully capture the text’s descriptions and help to distinguish between the “usual” world and the “magical” realm Miles discovers: sparkling feathers and glowing moonflowers, the whimsical nature of the shape-shifting Boquila vines, and the magical fairies.
Through the Garden Gate is a charming and educational tale that successfully encourages curiosity about the natural world—an ideal choice for young readers aged 4 to 8, especially those who enjoy stories about magic, nature, and discovering that even “boring” chores can lead to great adventures.
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About the Author
Sharon Rose is an award-winning garden designer and environmental artist based in San Francisco, California. She is the founder and owner of STUDIO SF Landscape Design, established in 2018, where she specializes in revitalizing natural landscapes and crafting distinctive garden spaces. With over two decades of experience and deep expertise in California native and Mediterranean plants, her work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Sunset Magazine, and Luxe Interiors + Design. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and inspiring children to discover the magic and wonder of plants.
About the Illustrator
Erin Brown is an award-winning Northern Irish illustrator who lives and works on the beautiful island of Jersey. After graduating from university with a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art, a passion for stories and children’s books took hold. She combines her love for hand-drawn lines and traditional techniques with the flexibility and freedom of adding color digitally. She has worked with clients all over the world, but particularly loves illustrating Irish stories and folklore. Her love of stories comes from her Grandad, who lived by the sea and was always ready with a tale or two. When she’s not working in her tiny studio, she can be found baking something overly sweet, exploring the forests and cliff paths of Jersey, or down at the sea shore, watching the tide roll in.
