Watch Things Grow

Zack & Liam, #1

by

Jay L. O’Callaghan

Bright, action-filled children’s picture book about growing healthy, organic fruits and vegetables.

Watch Things Grow is the first book in author Jay L. O’Callaghan’s planned children’s picture book series, featuring brothers Zack and Liam and their parents as they learn to grow their own vegetables and fruits from seed to table. The bright illustrations are full of action, and the narrative emphasizes the benefits of healthy, organic produce, some varieties of which may be new to young readers outside of Australia. 

I enjoyed the imaginative combinations of story and pictures used to illustrate important nutrition concepts that may not usually make an impression on young readers. One such notable example is the illustration featuring symbols representing critical vitamins and minerals shown on the side of a huge soccer-style ball, with the two brothers going all out in its pursuit and play: a great way to connect how those elements help build and maintain strong, healthy bodies! Throughout the book, the illustrations are vibrant and realistic, perfectly matching the story; they really bring it to life. I liked how some of the pictures were drawn from an overhead perspective or superior angle, adding more variety and movement to the whole story.

 As mentioned, the story is set in Australia, and one of the points the author makes is that the vegetables and fruits familiar to his characters, Zack and Liam, may be unknown or uncommon in other regions of the globe. That couldn’t be more true in our area of the U.S., and several examples may need to be explained to young readers here. However, I don’t see this as a drawback, but rather as another way to expand children’s understanding of the broader world. 

I recommend WATCH THINGS GROW to readers of children’s nonfiction picture books. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.