It's 1943 and Diana Hopkins, the 10-year-old daughter of FDR's chief advisor, lives in the White House with her father. She plays spy by riding the dumbwaiter down to the kitchen and thwarts potential enemies by sticking pins in seat cushions, but these antics land her in trouble. After the president proposes victory gardens, though, Diana learns to prepare soil, plant seeds, water seedlings, and care for growing plants. And when rabbits devour half the seedlings, she learns to start over. In the end, Diana, her father, and the Roosevelts enjoy a supper made with homegrown produce. The president, the First Lady, and their dog have minor roles, but this clearly written story centers on Diana's White House escapades and her gardening experience. Created with pencil, gouache, and digital elements, the illustrations use expressive lines and quiet colors to suggest the period and define the characters. An appended note offers background information. Fictionalized from the reminiscences of Diana Hopkins Halsted, this picture book offers an engaging historical tale with a unique setting.

Based on a true story, Carbone's story shines a light on the little girl who became the face of the first White House victory garden. It was 1943, and the United States was at war. Everyone was contributing to the war effort: men were fighting for their country overseas. Women were producing heavy machinery in factories. Ten-year-old Diana Hopkins, who lived in the White House (her father was President Franklin D. Roosevelt's chief adviser), wanted to help too. At first, she thought she might be a spy and practiced by sneaking into the dumbwaiter. But the housekeeper was not pleased. Then she stuck pins in chairs all around the White House to keep "enemies" at bay. That didn't go well either, especially since Mrs. Roosevelt's friend actually sat on one! One day, President Roosevelt presented Diana with the perfect opportunity. Soon, Diana was turning over soil, fertilizing, and planting beans and tomatoes. By the time her vegetables were ready for harvesting, Diana not only provided a bounty for the White House table, but also inspired the whole country to plant victory gardens. Carbone's straightforward text features just the right details to engage children. It is complemented by Hill's mix of simple line drawings and muted colors that evoke the era's austerity. Diana is white, as are the president's advisers, but many of the White House staff as well as passers-by on Pennsylvania Avenue are black or brown. An important piece of our history brought down to a child's level. (author's note) (Informational picture book. 4-10)

K-Gr 3 Diana (Hopkins) Halsted, the daughter of one of Franklin Roosevelt's close advisors, lived at the White House during World War II. Without other children around, she spends most of her time with Fala, the Roosevelts' dog. After her playful activities get her in trouble with the White House staff, it is decided that a good way to direct Diana's energy would be for her to take care of a Victory Garden on the lawn. The 10-year-old becomes part of a publicity plan to encourage people all over the country to help the war effort by growing their own food. This book connects with the current day as Michelle Obama and many schools are involved in gardening, and demonstrates how that movement has roots in the 1940s. An author's note describes conversations with the real Diana, who is still living. The style of the illustrations reflects the time period. Created with pencil, gouache, and digital methods, sepia-toned backgrounds are drawn but not filled in or completely colored. Painted people and Fala are fully colored and appear more solid. They are arranged on the pages almost like characters on a stage or paper dolls being moved through different scenes. The effect is visually interesting but not highly engaging for children. The pictures reflect great attention to detail, with people of varying races featured in street scenes in Washington, DC. Front endpapers show the garden plants sprouting, while those at the back include vegetables ready for harvest. VERDICT The many curricular tie-ins make this book a good choice for school libraries. Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA