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This book opens with young Samantha asking her grandmother to tell her a story. Samantha reveals to her grandmother that she is worried about the potted plant that resides on her windowsill. From this point, young readers learn the story of the seed that lived in the pot and eventually grew into a beautiful flower. Then, a tale about a little girl and her friend Mari, who learn to appreciate a flower’s beauty, unfolds. Mari and the little girl share the flower’s beauty with others, and eventually, the flower encourages the friends to keep spreading love and kindness. Nonetheless, young readers also learn about the life cycle. The lovely flower eventually wilts, but the lessons it gave the little girl will live forever.
This book contains many powerful lessons for both young readers and adults. First, the story the grandmother shares about a little girl who shared a flower’s beauty with others provides adults with a powerful teaching moment. They can use the little girl’s actions to teach children the importance of sharing with others. They can also teach them about the joy giving to others can bring an individual. Next, the book reminds readers of all ages about nature’s healing power and humanity’s undeniable connection with the natural world. When Samantha confides in her grandmother that she is worried, young readers begin to learn the significance of emotional awareness and the value of talking about one’s problems with another trusted person. Last but certainly not least, this book contains numerous coloring pages filled with beautiful flowers. Thus, the book transforms into a visual, creative experience rather than just a reading one. This is a book that readers of any age will surely enjoy.