Children and gardens both symbolize untamed spaces that need nurturing and guidance to grow. Adults often treat children and gardens in a similar fashion – they talk to them, feed them, and take care of them. While these actions are beneficial, there is always a fear that children and gardens might remain in a primitive or wild state. But what if giving them some leeway is equally beneficial to their growth? “A child like a garden” by Béatrice Masini and Francesca Ballarini combines their talents to humorously and delicately challenge preconceived notions about education. It emphasizes that children need space, exposure to nature, and most importantly, an opportunity for self-confrontation to blossom properly.
