Review: Disappointing - misses the mark
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 01 26, 2014
Doctor Renato Ariano's book: In Search of the Hidden Garden, The Quest of a Restless Pollen Grain is many things: cute, charming, imaginative have been some of the most common words to describe his work. However while many other reviewers have gushed over Araino's book, to me it is a serious disappointment.The author is an Italian doctor, head of a medicine department and a specialist in allergies. He has produced numerous scientific studies about allergology and in particular on allergenic pollens. He has written about 200 scientific papers in professional journals, both Italian and foreign, and has been a speaker at numerous national and international scientific conferences.His writing of this book is an excellent idea. He is taking his knowledge and expertise in pollen and allergies and placing it into fiction form to reach out to children.In his story, In Search of the Hidden Garden, Zeffirino is a small cypress pollen who flies away from his father plant  in search of something different.  During his escape he meets a wise old pollen, Eudosso, who becomes his Master and guides him on a long journey in search of the Hidden Garden. Along the way the author introduces the science of pollen, complete with numerous links for more information to scientific terms.And here is the problem. The story and main language is well suited to 8-10 year-old children. The problem is the author is throwing out biological information suitable for Tweens. And the book is a bit over 170 pages long.The story itself is perfect for a younger audience, but the underlying science bloats the book to a length and complexity beyond them. Meanwhile, the Tweens who are the natural target for the knowledge Dr Ariano is offering are used to more complex stories like Hunger Games and Twilight. This book is neither fish nor foul.So while many adults reviewing the book love its idea - in fact I do to - it fails in a very basic level to communicate to the children he has targeted.Which is why I am rating this story as a 3-star.