From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2-Young Lucy enters a lush garden where a woman helps her to plant some seeds. The child is impatient for them to grow, but older and wiser Anna Zinnia reminds her that "…the secret lies in the waiting." To pass the time, they observe nature, dance for rain, swim among water lilies, and talk about the journey from seed to flower. In the end, Lucy receives a "gift" from nature when the flowers finally bloom and she asks to grow more "baby flowers." While the text's lyrical phrases are lovely, the growth of the plants is somewhat sudden. The appearance of sprouts, leaves, and buds is shown all on one page without any surprise or reaction from the youngster. The watercolor-and-gouache illustrations convey the warmth of the language, but there are no visual cues to denote the passage of time. While this title is an evocative exploration of a child's feelings of impatience and wonder when planting seeds, it does not provide a clear account of a flower's growth and may confuse young readers. For a more down-to-earth tale of a youngster's impatience with plants, try Lisa Bruce's
Fran's Flower (HarperCollins, 1999).
-Rachel G. Payne, New York Public Library Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
PreS-Gr. 1. From the first scene of a vibrant garden glimpsed through an open door, Canadian author and illustrator Levert tells a sunny story of discovery for the very young. In her lush, colorful garden, Anna Zinnia helps young Lucy plant seeds "with a hidden baby flower." "How can it be born?" asks Lucy. "The secret lies in the waiting," Anna Zinnia answers. Waiting turns out to be difficult, and although Anna Zinnia explains what plants need--soil, sun, water, even songs--Lucy becomes impatient as the days pass: "It's taking too long . . . I don't want to wait anymore." Finally, a delighted Lucy meets her flowers. In warm, simple words, Levert tells an appealing story that's as much about the patience required "to watch and listen to nature" as it is about a plant's life cycle. Levert's saturated, stylized watercolor images compliment the story with images of a world that's both wild and safe--a floral jungle with smiling, reassuring Anna Zinnia as guide.
Gillian EngbergCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
