Readers of In My Backyard will find themselves in a garden that is all the more magical for its realistic portrayal. Ron Broda’s remarkable paper sculptures are hyper-real, delicate, and enchanting rather than computer-animation-cold. The daylit scenes (a hummingbird hovering beside a brace of morning glories, or a mouse nibbling a red berry on a snowy winter’s day) have a pleasant, otherworldly feeling of nature caught off-guard. So too for the nighttime scene of an opossum, babies on her back, illuminated in a circle of artificial light as she digs for peels in the compost bin. One page of each spread is full-colour; the text on the facing page appears on a textured paper background, with close-ups of the plants and animals constructed in all-white paper. The stark white enhances the artistry of each sculpture and offers a view of the creatures and plants uncluttered by their lush surroundings.

Margriet Ruurs’ informative text is short, poetic, and reminiscent of a haiku. We learn that snakes look for warm places to sleep, that baby spiders leave home by flying off on silvery threads, that baby mice hibernate. We learn how to be observant and find wonder in an ordinary Canadian backyard. Extra goodies – a hidden ladybug to look for on each double-page spread, and a clue about which animal will appear next – proved mystifyingly difficult for me but may reward more patient scanning. Other nice details include further information about the creatures in appealingly straightforward, intelligent language, as well as tips on how to make your backyard attractive for birds, butterflies, bats, and other creatures.

This will be a valuable first resource for budding naturalists. It’s also an elegant, beautifully crafted book for observant grownups and children to share.