So begins this lyrical tribute to the bugs, bees, and birds that make the garden such a busy place. With each turned page, more visitors appear, and all the while the "surprise"-a chrysalis-changes unnoticed until, on the last page, a butterfly emerges and flies away across the garden's well-tended borders. Back-of-book notes about the natural histories of the garden's denizens complete this lovely and lively portrait of backyard nature, which is also a gentle meditation on the rewards of paying attention. A chipmunk hides on every page to divert and engage young readers.

Fountas & Pinnell Level O

TERRY PIERCE (Ridgecrest, CA) was a Montessori teacher for 22 years before writing children's books. Her 18 books include Tae Kwon Do! (Bank Street College Best Children's Books of 2007); Blackberry Banquet; Mother Goose Rhymes (a 2007 AEP Distinguished Achievement Award Winner) and My Busy Green Garden. She is an instructor in the UCLA Extension Writers' Program.