Today's Read Team 
Since its publication in 2020, The Last Garden, authored by Rachel Ip and illustrated by Anneli Bray, has become a significant work in children’s literature, offering a poignant and accessible depiction of war, resilience, and hope. Set against the backdrop of war-torn Syria, the story follows a young girl who tends the last remaining garden in her city—a fragile symbol of life, peace, and renewal amidst destruction. More than just a tale, it is a tribute to the enduring human spirit in times of conflict, resonating deeply with readers and educators worldwide, especially in 2025 as global conflicts and displacement continue to affect millions.
A Story Rooted in Real-Life Struggles
The narrative of The Last Garden draws direct inspiration from the Syrian civil war, which began in 2011 and has since caused unprecedented humanitarian crises. The war displaced over 6 million Syrians internally and forced more than 5.6 million to seek refuge abroad, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Cities once thriving with culture and community have been reduced to rubble, with nature itself often caught in the crossfire.
In many conflict zones, gardens and green spaces symbolize fragile pockets of normality and hope. In Syria, reports from aid agencies and journalists highlight how despite relentless bombings and hardships, families maintain small gardens as acts of resistance and remembrance. These gardens not only provide food and shelter but also foster emotional healing for children and adults grappling with trauma.
This intersection of nature and survival is captured vividly in Ip’s lyrical prose and Bray’s evocative watercolors. Their collaboration brings alive the emotional landscape of a young protagonist caring for a garden, embodying a universal yearning for peace and continuity amid chaos.
Educational Impact and Social Relevance
In the United States, The Last Garden has been embraced by educators seeking to introduce children to global issues with sensitivity and hope. It has found a place in classrooms that focus on social-emotional learning (SEL), which helps students develop empathy, resilience, and cultural awareness. Schools with diverse student bodies, including many children from immigrant and refugee families, use the book to facilitate conversations about displacement, war, and the human capacity to rebuild.
Organizations such as the International Rescue Committee (IRC) incorporate The Last Garden into literacy and cultural orientation programs for refugee children, using it as a tool to bridge language and cultural gaps while fostering a sense of belonging. Similarly, the book features in library programs and reading initiatives that aim to expose young readers to global perspectives beyond their immediate surroundings.
Rachel Ip and Anneli Bray have actively engaged with these educational communities, participating in literary festivals and virtual webinars to discuss the book’s themes. Their outreach aligns with a growing trend in education to diversify reading materials and include narratives that reflect the experiences of children worldwide.
Critical Acclaim and Literary Recognition
The book’s literary merit has been recognized through numerous awards and nominations, including the 2021 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award and a longlisting for the prestigious Klaus Flugge Prize. Critics praise the book’s delicate yet powerful approach to a complex subject, highlighting Ip’s evocative storytelling and Bray’s sensitive illustrations.
Bray’s artwork, in particular, has been noted for its ability to capture the duality of fragility and strength, mirroring the resilience of communities affected by war. Her use of soft, earthy tones combined with detailed depictions of flora underscores the theme that life, even in the smallest form, can persist against overwhelming odds.
Reviewers often compare The Last Garden to other acclaimed children’s literature that deals with social justice and peacebuilding, positioning it as a modern classic within this niche. The book’s message is seen as especially vital in a world still wrestling with displacement crises and the aftermath of conflicts in regions such as Syria, Ukraine, Yemen, and Afghanistan.
Connection to Ongoing Global Events
As of 2025, the relevance of The Last Garden remains profound. The Syrian conflict, though less intense than its peak years, continues to affect millions, with rebuilding efforts progressing slowly. Meanwhile, new conflicts and tensions globally have generated further waves of displacement, making the themes of hope, resilience, and peace more urgent than ever.
In Ukraine, for example, the ongoing war that began in 2022 has similarly disrupted civilian life, forcing many families to flee their homes and seek safety. Stories of communities tending to gardens or local green spaces amid bombed-out cities echo the symbolic importance depicted in Ip and Bray’s work.
Furthermore, the global refugee population has reached record highs, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), with over 100 million forcibly displaced worldwide. This reality adds weight to the educational and humanitarian uses of The Last Garden, highlighting literature’s role in cultivating empathy and understanding across borders.
Themes of Healing and Community
At its core, The Last Garden conveys a message of healing and communal strength. The protagonist’s care for her garden serves as a metaphor for nurturing hope in the face of adversity. This aligns with psychological research showing the benefits of nature exposure for trauma survivors, especially children. Gardens and green spaces offer a therapeutic environment that supports mental health and emotional recovery.
In war-torn regions, community gardens have been used as practical and symbolic projects to rebuild social ties and provide food security. These initiatives, documented by humanitarian agencies and NGOs, demonstrate the powerful intersection of environmental stewardship and peacebuilding.
By portraying these themes through a child’s perspective, Ip and Bray invite young readers to connect with complex global issues in a way that is both understandable and inspiring. This approach helps foster global citizenship and compassion, which are increasingly prioritized in educational curricula.
Lasting Legacy and Cultural Impact
Since its release, The Last Garden has not only enriched children’s literature but also contributed to broader conversations about how stories can foster peace and understanding. The continued involvement of Rachel Ip and Anneli Bray in outreach efforts underscores the importance of narrative as a bridge between cultures and experiences.
Libraries, schools, and community organizations continue to recommend the book alongside other titles that address social justice, displacement, and environmental stewardship. Its lasting presence in these spaces highlights literature’s unique ability to nurture empathy and hope in young readers.
In a world still grappling with conflict and displacement, The Last Garden serves as a timely reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the healing power of nature. It stands as a testament to the vital role children’s books can play in addressing complex realities while inspiring hope for a more peaceful fu