The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden | 
pickBook 2: When their beloved neighbor is in hospital after a stroke, the inventive siblings‘ plan evolves into building a magic “healing garden” for him…
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pickI love this series! Reading a middle grade between denser, heavier reads is one of my favorite ways to cleanse my reading palate. 🌳
pick18 May-8 Jun 2021 (audiobook)
Another ode to community and neighbourhood. I found this a little more inconsequential than the first, but it remained enjoyable and a nice book for Beatrix and I to share driving around. We never found ourselves sitting in the garage listening to the end of the chapter though.
The Secret Garden of Harlem could be another name for this book. The Vanderbeekers have such a wonderfully fierce determination to make the world a little brighter, a little more beautiful, for everyone around them. I may have to binge-read the rest of this series at some point. 🔸#februaryreads2021
pick🎧 another fun adventure with the Vanderbeekers
Next up in audio: the next in the series
#StackingtheSeries
The girls and I are reading the second book in the Vanderbeeker series — THE VANDERBEEKERS AND THE HIDDEN GARDEN — and it is such a delight. We‘re alternating between the print and audio editions, since I can‘t help myself and bought both. 🤣
We‘re in the neighborhood of around 15 readaloud/audiobooks this year, which is way more than we normally manage. I love that this has been a side effect of being home together so much!
#raisingreaders
pickThis book is a pure delight.
When Mr. Jeet is rushed to the hospital, the Vanderbeeker children decides that it‘s time to do as Miss Josie have wanted them to do for a long time - turn the area next to the church into a beautiful garden.
A book about community, neighbors, friends and family, and how much you can do with very little money and a lot of creativity.
Next up.
Can‘t wait to find out what the Vanderbeeks are up to this time, especially the kids
pickCharming. Just lovely. A modern take on the kids saving the neighbourhood that just sweeps you up and along and fills you with happiness.
I have gone straight on to book two.
pickWe‘ve been working on this story bit by bit and we loved every minute! 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾 from the Graham bedtime readers! No fantasy, just real kids with a real goal and real challenges. Affirming messages just like in the first installment, can‘t wait for the next to come out in September!
Our new read aloud. Kids are hooked in even after just the first chapter. If we can‘t have spring outside, maybe we can have it inside? 😁🤞🏾
pickThis is the third middle reader book I‘ve read in a row, plus I‘m re re listening to a Harry Potter book. I guess it‘s where my head is at this moment. Sweet second book about the Vanderbeeker family in Harlem. Not an original storyline, but the family is loving and it makes me miss all my siblings. Plus, as a lifelong knitter, I was smitten with all the knitting throughout the story. Ten yo boy knitter? Yarn bombings? Endearing.
pickThe second Vanderbeeker novel in the series was a hearty pick for me! Such an uplifting, feel-good story and the perfect way for me to end my holiday. Back to reality tomorrow. 4/5⭐️
pickI can‘t say enough good things about this series! I have fallen in love with the Vanderbeekers! #80in18
I loved the first book and am spending my evening with the sequel.
pickThey will be back in September.
Another wonderful adventure with the Vanderbeeker children trying to cheer up their second floor neighbours by doing some 'Secret Garden'-ing.
