Rose meets Mr Wintergarten
By Bob Graham
Pub Walker Books Ltd, London 1992
ISBN 0-7445-9829-X
What a lovely choice of names Bob Graham has made for this story – foretelling the story to come. The Summer family moves into their new house where they plant many different colourful plants – his quirky illustrations show a happy family in the garden including a chicken digging in the wheelbarrow being pushed by Mrs Summer.
In contrast, the house next door is big, old and dark, and is so overgrown the sun doesn’t get through. The Summer children – Faith, Rose and baby Blossom – meet up with local children and hear scary stories about the man who lives there – he is apparently mean and horrible, has a dog like a wolf and a saltwater crocodile that he rides at night. Emily points out a football lost over the fence by her father when he was a boy, the ball now old and flat amongst the prickles, and warns that if their ball ever goes over just to forget about it. “And just then, Rose’s ball went straight over Mr Wintergarten’s fence!”
Rose tells her mother who suggests she just go and ask him for it back, and gives her some fresh baking to take. They all go next door and have to force open the gate which hasn’t been opened in years. There is a scary dog, so Mum makes friends with him by giving him a cake. Rose knocks on Mr Wintergarten’s front door and there is a shouted response. Mr Wintergarten is shown sitting at a long table in a dark room (reminiscent of Miss Haversham from Dicken’s Great Expectations). Rose introduces herself and explains why she is there but he growls at her and tells her to go away. After she has gone Mr Wintergarten looks at the bright posy of flowers and plate of baking that provide a colourful contrast to his plain and dark dinner table. He slowly gets up and opens his curtains, something he hasn’t done in years. He then goes outside and sits in the sun on his front step, feeding a cake to his dog and pondering on the fact that no one had ever asked for their ball back or brought him fairy cakes. He goes into the garden and find Rose’s ball – and then kicks the ball (and his slipper) back over the fence where it is caught by Rose. She praises his kick, he thanks her then asks for his slipper back. She throws it high in the air and over the fence where he catches it.
That is the end of the text, but the next double page spread shows the two houses – his yard cleared of the overgrowth, fences taken down, house repainted and Mr Wintergarten and his dog playing with the ball in the front garden, together with all the neighbourhood children.
The importance of keeping in touch with neighbours is well demonstrated in this delightful story. The elderly can learn from children, and in turn they can share their knowledge and energy with children, making our communities a safer and happier place to be.
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