April showers bring May flowers. Or so the saying goes. And so we ease into the season of life and renewal, casting aside the heavy coat of winter. May means more time outdoors, savoring a heightened awareness of Mother Earth’s beauty. Children, from their earliest days, bring us flowers. Plucking colorful stems (be they weeds or not) from ground level—extending their clutched fist to us in a generous offering, the tiniest representation of affection.
Georgia O’Keeffe said, “Nobody sees a flower, really. It is so small it takes time. We haven’t time.” Maybe that’s why children gather flowers, bestowing them at every turn, because they aren’t in a rush. The flower waits for them and they are eager to be present in the face of beauty. Still, we give flowers for births. For deaths. For celebrations. And sorrow. We weave flowers into crowns and wear them in our hair. We send them in the mail and plant them in our gardens. We make them out of paper to preserve them a bit longer. And even in our rush, we find beauty in blossoms. Not because they ask anything of us, but simply because they exist. We find glints of happiness in flowers of all variety and learn about life through the process of planting, pruning, cutting, giving, and enjoying them.
Thanks to Miranda from My Bookbloom for the timely theme and to Mel from letstalkpicturebooks.com for compiling the list!
Norton and Alpha, by Kristyna Litten.
“The story of Norton and Alpha reminds us that nature is needed in the modern mechanical world. Flower gardens, living walls, and parks. They’re to be treasured and nourished and allowed to flourish.” — Summer from @readingisourthing
Ivy and the Lonely Raincloud, by Katie Harnett
“It’s sweet to see the two come together and fill a gap in each other’s lives, proving that there’s someone for everyone and sometimes what we think is a setback is actually an asset for someone else.” — Mel from @spiky_penelope
Botanicum, by Katie Scott and Kathy Willis
“Can you imagine what has not been discovered yet?” — Leah from @astoryaday
Bloom, by Deborah Diesen and Mary Lundquist
“I’m sharing a brand new book that is perfect for Mother’s Day along with these #beyondthebook paper flowers with free printable centers that say ‘Thanks for helping me bloom.'” — Clarissa from @book.nerd.mommy
Bee, by Britta Teckentrup
“The message about saving the beloved bumblebee is tackled through gentle and lyrical poetry.” — Kim from @bookbairn
The Reason for a Flower, by Ruth Heller
“This is hands-down one of my favorite books about flowers. Although published in 1983, it remains relevant decades later.” — Miranda from @bookbloom
Florette, by Anna Walker
“This book shares it’s beauty in such a delicate way, touching on one of my favorite themes, the magic of nature.” — De from @books_and_babycinos
Planting a Rainbow, by Lois Ehlert
“Learn how to plant a rainbow!” — Arielle from @childrensbooksgalore
The Legend of the Indian Paint Brush, by Tomie dePaola
“Tomie dePaola stays true to his style by creating these beautiful moments that seem to be frozen from legends.” — Wendy from @homegrownreader
Mummy’s Little Sunflowers, by Angela McAllister and Alison Edgson
“This book [is] such a lovely one.” — Mel from @kids.books.we.love
Footpath Flowers, by JonArno Lawson and Sydney Smith
“It reminds us to stop and appreciate the little moments in every day. To notice the flowers growing in the cracks of the pavement. I also love that the Canadian government pledged to give a copy of this book to every arriving Syrian child refugee. A book that promotes kindness for all..” — Shannon from @ohcreativeday
Plant the Tiny Seed, by Christie Matheson
“On each page the reader is told to touch, tap, clap etc, to help make the seed grow. So, we tap the clouds to make the rain come and we pat the seeds into the grown to plant them. It’s a cute simple story.” — Michelle from @the.book.report
Little Honey Bee, by Katie Haworth and Jane Ormes
“Yes, it is a counting book but it also teaches another equally important lesson: the appreciation beauty. To stop and smell the roses.” — Liam from @words.and.illustrations
