Harper Collins 2018
Author/Illustrator: Joseph Kuefler
Hardover, 48 Page Picture Book
Each day, the big trucks go to work. They scoop and hoist and push. But when Digger discovers something growing in the rubble, he sets in motion a series of events that will change him, and the city, forever. ~ Inside Cover Flap
Digger is a piece of construction equipment working with the others to develop the land and build cities. One day Digger discovers a flower growing in the city. He cares for the flower, watering it and protecting it. The flower grew and Digger was happy. One day there was no land left to build upon except where the flower grew. Before Digger had a chance to save the flower his friend Dozer cut the flower down. With a broken heart Digger picks up some seeds left in the rubble and carries them far from town into the wilderness and plants them. There he cares for the seeds as they grow into beautiful flowers.
This book appeals in so many ways. The illustrations are bold, simple, and dramatic. The big trucks work together and cooperate to create a city. Digger, a great big backhoe, has a touching relationship with a small beautiful flower, but the book delves a bit deeper than this and touches on saving the environment, conservation, and the use of land. Clearly Digger appreciates the value of things beautiful for their own worth in a world full of progress and sets a great example of love, caring, and inclusion in a simple way for all to appreciate.
The Digger And The Flower by Joseph Kuefler gets 5 stars from this reviewer.