Wildflower

by Melanie Brown, Sara Gillingham (Illustrator)

Overview

The Rainbow Fish for kids who love the garden.A moving picture book for ages 3 to 8 about a daisy who is told she’s “just a weed”—and embarks on a journey to find her place in the garden.

Daisy is new to the garden and just opening her petals to the sun when Rose tells her that she's just a weed. What’s a weed? Daisy asks. Weeds aren't planted on purpose, Rose explains, and they only get in the way. Soon Daisy compares herself to other plants in the garden: she isn't tall like Sunflower, nor sweet like Strawberry, nor fragrant like Rose. Daisy worries that Rose might be right—that she is a weed after all—until a strange and beautiful plant offers Daisy a different perspective. Maybe Daisy can choose her own purpose! And why do others get to decide who she is?

This sweet and empowering story is the perfect gift for teaching young children about:

Self-compassion and confidence. Daisy learns that she is so much more than “just a weed” and that it’s up to her to define who she is, not others.

Everyone has something special about them and supporting one another can help us grow.

The importance of loving yourself exactly as you are.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781771649063
Publisher:	Greystone Kids
Publication date:	05/24/2022
Pages:	36
Sales rank:	228,039
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 11.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	3 - 8 Years

About the Author

Melanie Brown has worked as both an elementary school teacher and an interior designer, who lives in Vancouver with her family and sweet silver labrador retriever named Rosie. Wildflower is her first book.

Sara Gillingham is an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator, art director, and designer who has helped publish many bestselling books. Sara has written and illustrated more than 25 titles for children, including How to Grow a Friend, Snuggle the Baby, the Empowerment series, and the bestselling In My series. She lives in Vancouver with her family.

Editorial Reviews

"Truly a special story beautifully illustrated with a powerful message to love yourself exactly as you are."
—STARRED Youth Services Book Review

"Gillingham's bold illustrations... clearly emphasize the emotional turns of the narrative... in this picture book simultaneously about plant biodiversity and accepting difference."
—Booklist

"With benign lessons of self-worth and inclusion, this endearing story is easy to love."
—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

05/27/2022

PreS-Gr 2—Daisy has only just bloomed and is enjoying the garden when Rose tells her "You're just a weed." As Daisy confers with other plants, they tell her all about how awesome they are, but make Daisy feel bad in comparison for being just a weed; then Daisy meets wildflowers who speak to their own unique qualities that they share in the garden. Brown has created a lovely story for children about self-worth, via flowers and a simple vocabulary, with some longer names mentioned. The ideas are simple enough for younger children, while older readers will pick up on the notions of being true to one's self and the need for inclusion. An end note takes on the differences between flowers and weeds, and how the latter do not deserve their sorry reputation. Gillingham's adorable illustrations also help visualize the feelings of Daisy and other flowers, focusing on only one or two flowers at a time for the most part. This story makes its points in a pretty way, without ever creeping into the sentimental. VERDICT With benign lessons of self-worth and inclusion, this endearing story is easy to love. —Margaret Kennelly

School Library Journal