The Garden of Small Beginnings

By Abbi Waxman | Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group

About the book

“A quirky, funny, and deeply thoughtful book”* that’s “filled with characters you’ll love and wish you lived next door to in real life”** from the author of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill.
 
Lilian Girvan has been a single mother for three years—ever since her husband died in a car accident. One mental breakdown and some random suicidal thoughts later, she’s just starting to get the hang of this widow thing. She can now get her two girls to school, show up to work, and watch TV like a pro. The only problem is she’s becoming overwhelmed with being underwhelmed.
 
At least her textbook illustrating job has some perks—like actually being called upon to draw whale genitalia. Oh, and there’s that vegetable-gardening class her boss signed her up for. Apparently, being the chosen illustrator for a series of boutique vegetable guides means getting your hands dirty, literally. Wallowing around in compost on a Saturday morning can’t be much worse than wallowing around in pajamas and self-pity.
 
After recruiting her kids and insanely supportive sister to join her, Lilian shows up at the Los Angeles botanical garden feeling out of her element. But what she’ll soon discover—with the help of a patient instructor and a quirky group of gardeners—is that into every life a little sun must shine, whether you want it to or not...

READERS GUIDE INCLUDED

*HelloGiggles
**Bustle

Editions of The Garden of Small Beginnings

Paperback
ISBN 9780399583582
EBook
ISBN 9780399583599
AudioStreaming
ISBN 9781524779344
AudioStreaming
ISBN 9781524779351

Read an Excerpt

“A quirky, funny, and deeply thoughtful book”* that’s “filled with characters you’ll love and wish you lived next door to in real life”** from the author of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill.
 
Lilian Girvan has been a single mother for three years—ever since her husband died in a car accident. One mental breakdown and some random suicidal thoughts later, she’s just starting to get the hang of this widow thing. She can now get her two girls to school, show up to work, and watch TV like a pro. The only problem is she’s becoming overwhelmed with being underwhelmed.
 
At least her textbook illustrating job has some perks—like actually being called upon to draw whale genitalia. Oh, and there’s that vegetable-gardening class her boss signed her up for. Apparently, being the chosen illustrator for a series of boutique vegetable guides means getting your hands dirty, literally. Wallowing around in compost on a Saturday morning can’t be much worse than wallowing around in pajamas and self-pity.
 
After recruiting her kids and insanely supportive sister to join her, Lilian shows up at the Los Angeles botanical garden feeling out of her element. But what she’ll soon discover—with the help of a patient instructor and a quirky group of gardeners—is that into every life a little sun must shine, whether you want it to or not...

READERS GUIDE INCLUDED

*HelloGiggles
**Bustle

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Garden of Small Beginnings about?

“A quirky, funny, and deeply thoughtful book”* that’s “filled with characters you’ll love and wish you lived next door to in real life”** from the author of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill.
 
Lilian Girvan has been a single mother for three years—ever since her husband died in a car accident. One mental breakdown and some random suicidal thoughts later, she’s just starting to get the hang of this widow thing. She can now get her two girls to school, show up to work, and watch TV like a pro. The only problem is she’s becoming overwhelmed with being underwhelmed.
 
At least her textbook illustrating job has some perks—like actually being called upon to draw whale genitalia. Oh, and there’s that vegetable-gardening class her boss signed her up for. Apparently, being the chosen illustrator for a series of boutique vegetable guides means getting your hands dirty, literally. Wallowing around in compost on a Saturday morning can’t be much worse than wallowing around in pajamas and self-pity.
 
After recruiting her kids and insanely supportive sister to join her, Lilian shows up at the Los Angeles botanical garden feeling out of her element. But what she’ll soon discover—with the help of a patient instructor and a quirky group of gardeners—is that into every life a little sun must shine, whether you want it to or not...

READERS GUIDE INCLUDED

*HelloGiggles
**Bustle

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Garden of Small Beginnings?

Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre

Where can I read a sample of The Garden of Small Beginnings?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780399583582

Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Garden of Small Beginnings?

Abbi Waxman

Who is the Publisher of the book The Garden of Small Beginnings?

Penguin Publishing Group

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

The Garden of Small Beginnings is available as paperback(ISBN 9780399583582) and ebook(ISBN 9780399583599) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9781524779344) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9781524779351)

Where can I buy The Garden of Small Beginnings online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy The Garden of Small Beginnings from below

Where can I buy The Garden of Small Beginnings?