Sunflower Houses : Inspiration from the Garden - A Book for Children and Their Grown-Ups (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Working and teaching in the gardens at Heart's Ease, I have always tried to note which plants most attract children and why..." (more)
Key Phrases: Evening Primrose, Moon Flower

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Even the youngest gardeners get a thrill from watching a plant grow - particularly a plant they nurtured." -- Washington Times

Garden books become repetitive variations of the same themes. But, once in a while, a book comes out that is delightfully different. -- Shane Smith, Director, Cheyenne Botanic Gardens

I have to put Sharon Lovejoy's 'Sunflower Houses.. in a category by itself. -- Copley News Service

It lit up my life and, indeed, may go on doing so for years to come. Enchanting! -- American Library Book Review

Lovejoy's award-winning Sunflower Houses... ranks as one of the finest examples of gardening literature. -- “Book Reviews” by Dr. Frances B. Shuler, Science Activities

Product Description

Remember making clover chains, hollyhock dolls, and firefly lanterns? Or hosting a faeriei tea party? Remember checking the clock when the Four O'Clocks bloomed? These simple pleasures, and hundreds more, are gathered here in a magical book of inspiration from the garden.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company (April 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761123865
• ISBN-13: 978-0761123866
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #126,638 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars If you have "Roots, Shoots, Buckets and Boots" don't bother, May 20, 2004

By	K. Fritz (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Sharon Lovejoy's "Roots, Shoots, Buckets and Boots" has the a lot of the ideas that are in "Sunflower Houses". It's almost as if she wrote "Sunflower Houses" first, thought of better ways to illustrate and do the gardening plans, and then wrote "Roots, Shoots..." (I didn't check the publishing dates - so maybe this is true?)

I bought both of these books through Amazon, and got "Roots..." first. It's a better book, with amazing illustrations. I thought "Sunflower Houses" would be just as good but when it came I was disappointed. It is really a repeat of much of the same stuff with less illustrations, and actually a lot less ideas. Illustrations are still really nice, and if you don't have the other book, you will like this one.

(...)

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let your inner child play......., July 5, 2001

By	Tiffany Windsor (Pasadena, CA United States) - See all my reviews

How many of us take our gardens and nature for granted? I certainly do when I get caught up in day-to-day survival mode. I discovered Sunflower Houses almost a decade ago when my sisters introduced me to a store called Heart's Ease in Cambria, California, which was owned at the time by Sharon Lovejoy. It wasn't long thereafter that I invited Sharon to be my guest on television. A faerie tea party was the theme of the segment. I was captivated by Sharon's ideas and views of the garden - transforming acorn tops, leaves, walnut shells and Japanese lanterns into the perfect faerie tea party. Vivid childhood memories came flooding back to me of blowing dandelions to the wind, climbing trees, rolling on the lawn, trying to catch butterflies and playing Red Light Green Light and Mother May I.

As I thumb through this 10th reprint of Sunflower Houses, I am reminded of the magic right outside our doors. In Sharon's words, "May you always remember that the most joyous and important experiences in life are not to be bought, but grown and nurtured in our homes and gardens." Winter, spring, summer or fall, the outdoors hold grand adventures for us! -Tiffany Windsor--

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Magic of Childhood, March 28, 2002

By	apples2apples (OhiO) - See all my reviews

Childhood is captured in this wonderful little book by Sharon Lovejoy. There are few books that make it into my "Magical Books" category, but this book by Sharon fits the bill. If you want to revisit childhood, or create a wonderful experience with your child or grandchild, this book is a must have.

If you like to garden or like to explore nature, have a child in your life you'd like to share that with, and like things that are child-like, this is a good book to have. It teaches you things like how to make clover chains and hollyhock dolls, it tells you when certain flowers bloom, like Four O'Clocks blooming at four o'clock. Or moonflowers, which bloom, big and white, in the light of the moon. The book is filled with wonderful illustrations to help you recreate magical childhood moments with your children or grandchildren.

Many adults experienced or remember those fun little things, but many of those things that we did as children are being lost, and it's amazing that a lot of kids these days have never done things like making a clover chain/necklace/bracelet. It's as if a part of childhood heritage is being lost. This is a fun book to share if, like me, you want to pass some of that heritage on to your children.