Rose Meets Mr.Wintergarten
Although the welcome wagon is nowhere in sight when the Summers family moves into their new house, the chipper clan quickly plants a garden and soon feels right at home. But oldest daughter Rose is curious about the spooky house next door where "mean and horrible" Mr. Wintergarten lives. Word on the street is that he has a "dog like a wolf" and a "saltwater crocodile" that he rides at night that "GETS YA!" Undaunted by the rumors, Rose and her mother venture through the old man's gate to retrieve Rose's lost ball--and to deliver cookies and flowers. Mr. Wintergarten's gruff attitude masks the fact that Rose's kind gestures have begun to melt his heart, and soon the neighborhood has a new friend. With humor and insight, Graham's text authentically conveys the language and emotions of childhood. Without being heavy-handed, Rose challenges some confining stereotypes in the name of humanity. Graham's bright ink-and-watercolor illustrations portray the Summers family as a likable hippie brood--Mom wears a Gandhi-like robe with sandals and a headband; the children are named Rose, Faith and Blossom--and Rose's dot-eyed innocence speaks volumes. Ages 4-up.Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.