The Rough Patch

The Rough Patch follows Evan, a fox who shares his life and beloved garden with his constant canine companion. Their deep friendship centers on tending to their flourishing garden together. After a life-changing event, Evan's relationship with his garden transforms. The once-vibrant space becomes wild and untamed as Evan processes his emotions and navigates a new reality without his friend. Through stark illustrations that blend light, shadow, and carefully chosen white space, Brian Lies creates a visual journey that mirrors Evan's emotional state. The 2019 Caldecott Honor book uses mixed media to bring depth to each scene. This picture book addresses themes of loss, healing, and the cyclical nature of life through the metaphor of a garden, making complex emotional concepts accessible to young readers.

Readers describe this picture book as a sensitive portrayal of grief and healing. Parents and teachers report it helps children process loss, particularly of beloved pets. Readers appreciated: - The detailed, expressive illustrations - The honest depiction of anger and sadness - The hopeful but realistic ending - The metaphor of the garden for emotional healing Common criticisms: - Some found it too dark for young children - A few felt the garden destruction scenes were intense Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (2,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (280+ ratings) From reader reviews: "Helped my 5-year-old understand his feelings after losing our dog" - Amazon reviewer "The artwork captures every emotion perfectly" - Goodreads reviewer "May be better suited for older kids who can grasp metaphors" - School librarian on Goodreads The book won the 2019 Caldecott Honor and the Charlotte Zolotow Award for picture book writing.

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🦊 The character Evan was inspired by Brian Lies' experiences watching his father grieve the loss of his mother after 61 years of marriage 🌱 The garden imagery in the book serves as a powerful metaphor for the cycles of life, death, and renewal - a concept found across many cultures' healing traditions 🎨 Brian Lies created the illustrations using acrylic paint and colored pencils, deliberately choosing darker tones to reflect Evan's emotional state during his grief 🏆 The book received a Caldecott Honor in 2019, recognizing its exceptional artistry and emotional depth in children's literature 📚 While writing the story, Lies consulted with grief counselors to ensure the book would be both authentic and helpful for children processing loss