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What an absolute delight!
This picture book, written by a New Jersey psychologist (and spectacularly illustrated by an amazing artist) tells the story of Blossom, a tall and gangly sunflower, and Bud, a little stem, not yet fully opened, who share space in Mr. Baxters floral shop with an abundance of breathtakingly beautiful flowers. So much beauty, in fact, that both Blossom and Bud, can’t help but fear they don’t fit in – each of them struggling with their own perceptions of visible “flaws”, that are only of course, present in their own flowery minds.
Too tall, too small, – it’s sad but true that our world is such that children, from a very young age, have already seen and internalized so many confusing messages about body type and “acceptability” that it can’t help but be difficult for them to love and appreciate the diversity exhibited in their own bodies, or those of their friends.
Even the tiniest tot will delight and relate to Bud and Blossoms journey to self-acceptance. It’s heart-warming and wonderful to see Mr Baxters joy in building his most special bouquet; one which can’t be built without the broadest inclusion- from the tallest flower to the smallest, each bud and stem adds perfection, in its own unique way, contributing to what has to be the most magnificent display of all.
A lovely, lovely story that needs to be read, enjoyed, celebrated and discussed with your little ones.
A great big thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author, for an advance review copy of this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts presented are my own.
