Alison’s Zinnia
Author: Anita Lobel
Illustrator: Anita Lobel
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Recommended Age Range: 4 to 8
Alison’s Zinnia combines flowers and friendship as children “wander” through an alphabetical garden. While common plants abound, such as roses and tulips, others – less well known – including lady’s slipper and jack-in-the-pulpit – are also introduced. Beautiful paintings accompany the text.
Awards: Bulletin Blue Ribbon (The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books)
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(Hardcover)
Miss Rumphius
Author: Barbara Cooney
Illustrator: Barbara Cooney
Publisher: Viking Press
Recommended Age Range: 5 to 8
Miss Rumphius is a unique story with a wonderful message: Live your dreams and don’t forget to make the world a more beautiful place. These words, told to Miss Rumphius by her grandfather at a young age, lead to a life spent climbing mountains and traveling the world. Yet, when her health turns and she must slow down, she discovers how to contribute beauty to the world – one lupine flower at a time. A perennial favorite. ☺
Awards: American Book Award Winner
Sidewalk Flowers
Author: JonArno Lawson
Illustrator: Sydney Smith
Publisher: Groundwood Books, House of Anansi Press
Recommended Age Range: 4 to 7
Website
Sidewalk Flowers is a wordless picture book that follows the kindness of one little girl’s generosity. Through the beauty of flowers, each “bouquet” shared reveals an act of kindness that is both inspiring and heartwarming. Simply stunning.
Awards: Winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award for Children’s Illustrated Books 2015; A New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year 2015; Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Books of 2015
The Flower Man
Author: Mark Ludy
Illustrator: Mark Ludy
Publisher: Scribble & Sons
Recommended Age Range: 4 to 8
A grey city becomes remarkably transformed when one man decides to add a world of color to his new home. A wonderful story that shows the power of beauty to inspire those around us.