THE PRICKLETRIMS GO WILD

In this French import, a family’s structured existence is thrown into turmoil when the gardener quits.

Mr. and Mrs. Prickletrim insist on a symmetrical, formal garden. As Florian the gardener plants and prunes, they follow him with a ruler and a color chart, exerting control over “the height of any new plant, the space between its stems…and the ideal combination of colors.” The green topiaries and lawns and the orderly rows of red and yellow flowers present a noticeable contrast to the colorless house, outdoor furniture, and brick wall, all rendered in pencil on white backgrounds. When Florian flees in a fit of exasperation, the garden grows willy-nilly; long leaves and vibrant blossoms encroach on the home, eventually invading all the rooms, along with various critters. The adults try to fight back, but daughter Suzette shows them how to listen to the birds, romp in the jungle, and enjoy the wonder of it all. Ultimately, they achieve a balance between tame and wild. Dorléans employs longer descriptions in the beginning; she trims the text as the visuals dominate, effectively conveying life at either extreme—the rigidity of micro-management and the overstimulation of chaos (although she seems to prefer the latter!). The characters have pale pink skin, but their black-and-white-patterned clothing harmonizes with the neutral setting.

A clarion call to take time to smell the flowers—and to let yourself and your garden go a little wild.