Celia Thaxter grew up on a desolate island off the coast of Maine, where her father worked as lighthouse keeper. Amid the white and gray of the sea, the rocks, and even the birds, young Celia found color where she could: green mosses and purple starfish, and pink morning glories by the shore. And she planted her first garden, tucking bright marigolds between rocky ledges. When she was twelve, Celia's family moved to nearby Appledore Island, where her father built a large hotel. There, Celia planted a bigger, ever-growing garden with nearly sixty types of flowers, from asters to wisteria.
Guests flocked to the hotel from around the world, including writers such as Longfellow, Whittier, and Hawthorne. Celia had been writing poems about the island, her garden, and the sea, which would be printed in magazines and books, making her a foremother of writing about nature. For the first time, Celia Planted a Garden showcases her life and work in a poetic, vividly imagined picture book from a team of two authors and an illustrator, each receiving numerous awards. More about Celia Thaxter, including a rich timeline and bibliography, awaits readers in the back matter.
Authored by Phyllis Schmidt and Gary D. Schmidt
Hardcover
40 pages
Measurements: 11.4 x 8.6 inches
Published by Candlewick in 2022