Jamaica Kincaid Pens New Gardening Book for Children

Written By: Heidi Riley-Ancar

An Encyclopedia of Gardening for Colored Children is world-renowned author Jamaica Kincaid’s newest book. Besides being a celebrated author, Ms. Kincaid is a Harvard professor and avid gardener who has utilized her plant expertise to co-create a children’s book with highly acclaimed visual artist/illustrator Kara Walker. Kara had developed a keen interest in gardening and horticulture after reading Ms. Kincaid’s book, My Garden Book (1991), and was enthused to work with the Antiguan-American writer on the new children’s book.

Although Ms. Kincaid has penned memorable titles such as The Autobiography of My Mother, Lucy (1991), Annie John (1997), My Brother (1998), and A Small Place (2000) it has been almost 40 years since she wrote her last book specifically created for children and young audiences. An Encyclopedia of Gardening for Colored Children investigates topics of plant life, colonization, and religion through brilliantly colorful illustrations and an engaging storyline. Ms. Kincaid had been brainstorming on the idea for her newest release for years and finally decided it was time to manifest the idea into book form.

Kara was fascinated with gardening during the pandemic, prompting her to seek knowledge and information about gardening and all things horticultural from Ms. Kincaid’s work, My Garden Book. When contacted by Ms. Kincaid and asked to become the illustrator for the upcoming creative project, Ms. Walker was delighted to accept the invitation to work on a project with someone she later described as a friend/mentor.

Kincaid and Walker shared a mutual respect, expertise and skill set as a writer and illustrator. Thus, creating a workable relationship that produced the desired outcome, An Encyclopedia of Gardening for Colored Children. The Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge found in the Garden of Eden chronicled in the Holy Bible were Ms. Kincaid’s primary inspiration for the children’s book. She interpreted the Tree of Life as associated with agriculture and the Tree of Knowledge as horticulture. The new release discusses the ABC of the plants that delineate our world. Ms. Walker contributed to the project by artistically creating bold and captivating watercolor drawings that provided a pictorial backdrop for Ms. Kincaid’s words. Their collaborated effort and talent have resulted in a children’s book that audiences of all ages, nationalities, and cultures can enjoy.