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Tiny Wonders
The world is full of wonders, if we take a small moment to look! A beautiful story about everyday magic.
April's town is dull and gray, and the people there are too busy to laugh or look up at the sky. But when April remembers Grandma's stories about wonder in the world, like the secret language of flowers, April Can dandelions help?
Planting tiny seeds while the seasons shift towards spring, April watches as the dandelions and other flowers sprout, bringing more than a little wonder back to her community.
Debut author-illustrator Sally Soweol Han's gorgeous and inspirational story encourages young readers to consider how they too can plant a little wonder in the world.
April's town is dull and gray, and the people there are too busy to laugh or look up at the sky. But when April remembers Grandma's stories about wonder in the world, like the secret language of flowers, April Can dandelions help?
Planting tiny seeds while the seasons shift towards spring, April watches as the dandelions and other flowers sprout, bringing more than a little wonder back to her community.
Debut author-illustrator Sally Soweol Han's gorgeous and inspirational story encourages young readers to consider how they too can plant a little wonder in the world.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2022
66 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 2, 2023
Amelie really liked this one :)
February 23, 2022
This is really cute and the illustrations are just beautiful. I love the addition of flower types and their meanings at the end of the book.
August 28, 2024
Tiny Wonders by Sally Soweol Han features a young girl who sees her town as dull and grey, however, she aims to brighten up her town by wishing on and planting a dandelion seed. Overall, I liked this book because of the spark presented in the young girl to make her town, and her community more colorful and a happier place. Also, I imagine the beautiful illustrations would be captivating to children. I like how more color was added to the pictures as she persevered to achieve her dream. This book displayed how today people are always in a rush and how we often forget to pay attention to the beautiful wonders around us. I think it is beneficial to read books that have limited words, such as at the end when you see the reactions of the people who dismissed her when her dandelion bloomed so you can have discussions about how students infer what the people are feeling (Where they shocked? Do you think they were happy? etc.). As she searched for dandelion seeds, she was met with negativity, such as statements like "Dandelions are weeds" signifying they do not matter. However, she kept searching because she was determined to make her dream come true. I would use this book for a read-aloud followed by some sort of free-write/journal entry to further student thinking. Before reading, I would have students make predictions about what they think the story is about based on the title and the cover. The first page discusses how if April could pick a color for her town it would be grey. Color often conveys an emotion(s) or a deeper meaning in books, therefore, I would ask "What does April mean when she says her town is grey? What emotions do you think she's feeling?" Students would be able to turn and talk to partners and then we would discuss more as a class. Farther into the story, I would ask questions that foster empathy such as "How would you help April achieve her dream?" or rewrite what the characters said to her more positively. After reading and discussing, I would have students free write/journal with the prompt of: Write about a time you were faced with opposition when working on something important to you or write about what you would do if your dream was faced with negativity by others. This would help connect the text to their lives and help convey a deeper meaning from the text. I would then place the book in my library so students could reference and read it as they please.
February 1, 2024
Dandelions bring me joy, so I was delighted to see the little flower lauded as tiny wonders themselves. Han beautifully conveys the joy that such tiny wonders can bring, if only we take the time to see.
When the little girl shown on the cover considers her city, she finds it rather depressing. Acting on wisdom from her grandmother, she plants dandelions from seeds magically descended from above. When her flowers (or weeds, as the gardener considers them) bloom, they have the desired effect: people look up from their daily drudgery to appreciate the natural world around them. The girl's one small action begins a chain reaction where readers can see how something tiny can have a big impact.
Back matter outlines the social meanings of numerous flowers.
Tiny Wonders is a beautiful tribute to taking time to stop and smell the flowers.
When the little girl shown on the cover considers her city, she finds it rather depressing. Acting on wisdom from her grandmother, she plants dandelions from seeds magically descended from above. When her flowers (or weeds, as the gardener considers them) bloom, they have the desired effect: people look up from their daily drudgery to appreciate the natural world around them. The girl's one small action begins a chain reaction where readers can see how something tiny can have a big impact.
Back matter outlines the social meanings of numerous flowers.
Tiny Wonders is a beautiful tribute to taking time to stop and smell the flowers.
February 7, 2022
A sweet story of thoughtful kindness and the joys the natural world offers our souls.
March 8, 2024
The art in this book is so fantastic and is well deserving of its CBCA award in best new illustrator. Like I would give the illustrating 5 stars alone. The end pages of what different flowers mean was enlightening. It taught me something I never knew about.
It's a simple story about a little girl that notices her city is a boring and busy. She wants to spread happiness through dandelion flowers. She learned from her grandma that Dandelions mean happiness. She tries finding dandelion flowers but can't. So she makes a big wish and receives dandelions. She plants them and they start spreading and soon the city is enamoured and slows down to look at all the new flowers.
It's got a bit of subtlety too. For example it's hard to tell if the grandma is still alive, or if she's just remembering parts about her. Because if she was alive wouldn't it be easy to get dandelion seeds from her? But then the part where there's snow, it seems like grandma is alive. Anyways it's not really the focus of the story.
Anyways this is a book that I will teach/read to children. :)
It's a simple story about a little girl that notices her city is a boring and busy. She wants to spread happiness through dandelion flowers. She learned from her grandma that Dandelions mean happiness. She tries finding dandelion flowers but can't. So she makes a big wish and receives dandelions. She plants them and they start spreading and soon the city is enamoured and slows down to look at all the new flowers.
It's got a bit of subtlety too. For example it's hard to tell if the grandma is still alive, or if she's just remembering parts about her. Because if she was alive wouldn't it be easy to get dandelion seeds from her? But then the part where there's snow, it seems like grandma is alive. Anyways it's not really the focus of the story.
Anyways this is a book that I will teach/read to children. :)
February 29, 2024
I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.
April's town is all grey until she wishes for dandelion seeds and receives her wish! Will her town accept the bright yellow flowers? An ode to the misjudged dandelion, this book is full of acceptance and flowers. Dandelions have had a movement as of late, moving from common weed to their importance in soil heath, wildlife survival, medicinal purposes, and just plain fun to have around. A sweet simple story of a little yellow flower with the meaning of other flowers at the end.
April's town is all grey until she wishes for dandelion seeds and receives her wish! Will her town accept the bright yellow flowers? An ode to the misjudged dandelion, this book is full of acceptance and flowers. Dandelions have had a movement as of late, moving from common weed to their importance in soil heath, wildlife survival, medicinal purposes, and just plain fun to have around. A sweet simple story of a little yellow flower with the meaning of other flowers at the end.
June 14, 2025
April thinks that if her town were a color, it would be gray. The people are in a hurry and don't notice the beauties around them. She decides to bring more color and wonder to her town...using dandelions.
I recognize that dandelions are beneficial...but I spend so much time in summer trying to rid our yard and carport of weeds that I personally cringe a bit at this book. Totally a personal reaction...but nevertheless, I couldn't quite overcome my negative response to spreading dandelions on purpose.
I recognize that dandelions are beneficial...but I spend so much time in summer trying to rid our yard and carport of weeds that I personally cringe a bit at this book. Totally a personal reaction...but nevertheless, I couldn't quite overcome my negative response to spreading dandelions on purpose.
March 8, 2024
Tiny Wonders is a sweet book that asks readers to take a minute to see the small wonders that surround us every day.
Debut author-illustrator Sally Soweol Han’s gentle text comes to life with tender illustrations that have magical moments. The whole book feels like a warm hug. It’s a beautiful celebration.
Debut author-illustrator Sally Soweol Han’s gentle text comes to life with tender illustrations that have magical moments. The whole book feels like a warm hug. It’s a beautiful celebration.
April 17, 2024
It was a very pretty book with all the magical colors being added as the book progressed. I gave it a 3 star but if I could have added some extra I would have as it was a sweet story but I tend to love the humorous ones, this one is not that. I always say to read a book no matter how it is reviewed, it could be your new favorite!
December 19, 2024
This is a heartwarming picture book about (I'd guess) a Korean American girl who brightens the world around her by planting dandelions - helping the grey, impersonal, hustle-bustle grown-ups around her to slow down, brighten up and connect. One of the most beautifully illustrated books I've seen. It's gorgeous seeing the relationship with her grandma, too.
June 8, 2023
I LOVED this book, and will be reading all book week. Fantastic tie in to our library's seed library too. Illustrations are stunning and warm on every page, and really show how on child sees the world so innocently. And who doesn't like blowing dandelions every where?!
June 26, 2024
a child spreads an invasive plant that had previously been eradicated from her town...
respectfully I would be so sad if I had finally removed the dandelions from my garden and a child brought them all back. I think that makes me a scrooge.
respectfully I would be so sad if I had finally removed the dandelions from my garden and a child brought them all back. I think that makes me a scrooge.
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May 10, 2023Nice two page display in center of book depicting a growing dandelion.
October 7, 2023
A cute little inspiring read that also encapsulates honoring a love one's memory.
May 4, 2024
“Everyone seemed too busy to laugh or look up at the sky.”
April wants to inspire the people of her neighborhood to see beauty. What can she do to help?
April wants to inspire the people of her neighborhood to see beauty. What can she do to help?
May 11, 2024
There is beauty all around! It was also cool to learn a little bit about the language of flowers! 😍😍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2024
I'm sorry, but I just can't with the actively encouraging dandelions to grow storyline. The illustrations are very pretty though.
September 24, 2024
April dreams and wishes. She wants to transform her dull, gray town. With seeds and determination, and lots of patience, April brings color and the language of flowers to her community.
December 21, 2024
What a positive story full of hope! A little girl living in a gray world remembers her grandmother’s wisdom about the wondrous ways in which flowers fill the world with blossoms of color and special meanings. Cute illustrations of the girl chronicle her quest to brighten up her neighborhood. End pages include an illustrated glossary of 32 common flowers and their symbolic messages.
May 26, 2023
This is the story of a young girl, April, saddened by the grey and busy world and people around her and her efforts to bring a sense of wonder and delight to everyone around her, just the way her grandma, who always had time and and joy in heart used to. She decides dandelions will brighten her world and the world of those around her. Saving some seeds, she plants, nurtures and waits until the burst into a riot of colour and everyone starts to appreciate the beauty of the world around them.
The pastels shades in the illustrations highlight the difference between the April's world form start tro finish shifting from somber greys and blues to yellows and a riot of other colours as flowers become predominant. Soft and whimsical, they capture childhood and a child's perspective to create this heart warming story that will encourage young readers to value and hopefully grow plants for the joy that they can bring. The book concludes with a double page spread of various flowers, their names and symbolic meanings.
A sweet and gentle story to share with young readers. There are a few inconsistencies between text and illustrations and when to plant seeds that young readers will be unaware of but may jar with older readers. A 2023 CBCA Notable title on the Picture Book list that I feel would be more appropriate on the Early Childhood list. Shortlisted for the award for New Illustrator.
The pastels shades in the illustrations highlight the difference between the April's world form start tro finish shifting from somber greys and blues to yellows and a riot of other colours as flowers become predominant. Soft and whimsical, they capture childhood and a child's perspective to create this heart warming story that will encourage young readers to value and hopefully grow plants for the joy that they can bring. The book concludes with a double page spread of various flowers, their names and symbolic meanings.
A sweet and gentle story to share with young readers. There are a few inconsistencies between text and illustrations and when to plant seeds that young readers will be unaware of but may jar with older readers. A 2023 CBCA Notable title on the Picture Book list that I feel would be more appropriate on the Early Childhood list. Shortlisted for the award for New Illustrator.
December 23, 2024
Cute children's book to promote curiosity about flowers and promote how flowers can brighten up public spaces.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews