"As the weeks went by, Amina daydreamed
of the greenhouse trip. She couldn't stop
talking about it at school with Yavan and
Priya. Her family listened to her ideas and
songs of growing the sweetest potatoes."
Moving to a new country can be a very difficult transition for most people. Moving from sun-filled days and time spent climbing coconut and mango trees to come to Canada in the throes of winter makes that challenge even more daunting. Winter is not an easy climate for anyone. Watching the kids outside her window happily playing in the snow and cold air has Amina longing for home and a place to plant her garden. Her older brother lets her know that she will have to wait for spring and warmer weather. In the meantime, she can water the plants that are inside the house. As she does, Amina sings a sad song.
"There's a brown girl
in the snow,
Tra la la la la,
where none of her
plants will grow,"
Amina sang."
As she does her best to avoid being outside, her father takes her to the library where she can learn about gardens and gardening. At school, her teacher is helpful when she understands how much Amina is missing home and the plants she grew there. It sparks an idea. The plan is for a trip to the greenhouse which is something new to Amina. Her classmates are excited, sharing memories of their family farms in the Republic of the Congo and in India. Yavan and Priya convince their new friend to join them outside to play where they can share thoughts and fun.
The days pass and soon it is time to embark on the field trip. What excitement and warmth swirls about her as Amina makes her way inside. The joy dims when told there are no sweet potato plants. It returns once more when she learns there are slips that need to planted right away. Mr. Lokon, the greenhouse keeper, suggests Amina help with the planting, and then come back to help with watering and caring for the growing plants. In four months the children will be welcome to help with the harvest. It's a task that gives Amina much happiness. As she patiently watches the plants grow on her visits to the greenhouse, she also practices patience in adjusting to her new home.
An author's note talks about Ms. Marshall's childhood move from Guyana to Toronto. Ms. Ferrer uses a rich watercolor palette to provide a warm setting for the learning and the transition being made. The song refrain based on a traditional Afro-Caribbean ring game repeats throughout, always offering a new ending to rhyme with 'snow'.
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