About this item
The incredible story of the world's largest visionary environment: the Rock Garden of Chandigarh, kept secret by outsider artist Nek Chand for fifteen years.After the partition of India in 1947, Nek Chand Saini settled in the city of Chandigarh, with nothing but stories brought from his homeland. Dismayed at his stark new surroundings, Nek began collecting river rocks, broken glass, and cracked water pots found on the roadside. He cleared a section of jungle and for seven years he stockpiled odds and ends. They were castoffs and rubbish to everyone else, but to Nek, they were treasures. He began to build a labyrinth of curving paths, mosaics, and repeating patterns: his very own tribute to the winding village of his youth, a hidden land of stories. Nek kept his kingdom secret for fifteen years, until a government crew stumbled upon it and sought to destroy it. But local fans agreed in awe: the Rock Garden had to be protected. Author Barb Rosenstock introduces readers to the outsider artist's stunning creation, while Claire A. Nivola's illustrations bring to life the land's natural beauty and the surreal world Nek coaxed from his wild landscape.
About the Author
Barb Rosenstock writes about history's heroes for today's kids. She's the author of seventeen award-winning picture books including the 2015 Caldecott Honor title, THE NOISY PAINT BOX, illustrated by Mary Grandpré, the first in series of picture books about famous artists. THE SECRET KINGDOM and OTIS AND WILL DISCOVER THE DEEP were recently honored by the NCTE Orbis Pictus committee and THROUGH THE WINDOW received a Sydney Taylor honor. Barb loves to visit schools and share ideas about reading and writing with students. She lives with her family near Chicago.
