In this picture book for the young and young at heart alike, Charles Albert Thysell's soft watercolors and playful writing captivate through their precious exploration of mother nature. Little Charlie's Garden is a sweet story of a day in the garden through the eyes of a babe, delighting in the surprises of who else is there and the sounds they make. With gorgeous illustrations of plants and animals and new friends around every corner, this read-in-your-lap book is full of wonder and love.

Charles Thysell grew up in Hawley, MN, the son of a country doctor and an accomplished singer and housewife who nourished his interest in a life of art. His hometown helped shape his appreciation for nature and the basic values people hold dear.

After studying art in Minneapolis, he concluded that school was not for him. He struck out as a song writer-performer in the turbulent '70s, and then dedicated ten years to working with nonprofit artist organizations in the Fargo-Moorhead area. In 1984 he was the first individual to receive an Artist Grant in the state of North Dakota. As a widely recognized advocate and teacher, he continued to draw and paint. His work—ranging from still life's to landscapes and over 2500 "Heads"—inevitably found its way to museum exhibits and gallery shows. Its warm-hearted, unpretentious style and quiet integrity have won a national following.

"Charles Thysell creates a bridge for a very young child just trying to make sense of self and this new reality. 'Who' is the question. In a world of computer graphics and AI, to find a book where every brushstroke on paper, orgaanic color, and tender expression flows from the heart of an amazing artist is a unique treasure, almost a relic." — Margarita Sikorskaia, illustrator