Wanda's Roses

by Pat Brisson, Maryann Cocca-Leffler (Illustrator)

When Wanda discovers a thornbush growing in an empty lot, she's quite sure it's a rosebush ready to bloom. So she clears away the trash, checks on it every day, and brings water from the butcher shop across the street. But no roses appear. Wanda's neighbors and friends are all doubtful, but when she invites them to a tea party in her "rose garden" one day in June, they're in for a big surprise. Pat Brisson's warm-hearted story and Maryann Cocca-Leffler's vibrant illustrations make this book about a child's simple faith one that children will long remember.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Gardening, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1994

About the author

I have been writing picture books and easy-to-read chapter books for the last twenty years. My first YA, The Best and Hardest Thing, a novel in verse, will be coming out in May 2010.

I am a former elementary school teacher, school librarian and reference librarian in a public library. I now write full-time and do author visits to schools.

My husband and I have four grown sons. We live in Phillipsburg, New Jersey.
Our last name has a short "i" sound and rhymes with "listen".

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to wait and write a review when I have time to do it justice, but I'll go ahead and post for now briefly that it is one of my favorite books so far this year and just gave me such a good, hopeful feeling. It's not really an "environmental" book, exactly, though the little girl does beautify an empty lot in her neighborhood and draws her neighbors into caring about it, too. Wanda's cheerfulness and optimism are beautiful - her joy and faith make people take notice of what they had overlooked and, because they care about Wanda, they do something very special for her that also beautifies the community and brings people together.

[river.｡*♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

manifestation queen

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Cute story with a couple of fun twists.

I live in a neighborhood of single family homes on fairly large lots, but it seems that not many of my neighbors (within a few block radius) know much about plants. Snapdragons, tulips, roses, iris, lilacs, ... many of the common garden plants are often objects of interest. People want to know what they are. So I appreciate a book that focuses on one type of plant - a rose bush, and the pictures are clear enough that kids should be able to recognize a rose. (But, unfortunately, these roses have no thorns.)

This reminds me of Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman, which is a title I recommend.

2023: Good message for both adults and kids.

[Briana Lewellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is super cute and shows how a community can come together and help make something beautiful. My favorite part of this book was when Wanda made the paper roses and all her friends showed up with rose bushes to plant in the vacant lot. Super great classroom library! My 4th grade buddies loved it!

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I remember this book being referenced in 2nd grade curriculum when teaching but I don’t think I ever had an actual copy until a library sale. It sat in a box for years but I just read it and I love everything about it. What a lovely community and a story of believing in something you care about...and each other. All the feels!

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet

9/28/17 Read with Naomi & Julia.

[Mrs. Ruigrok · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice little story. Wanda is cleaning things up, trying to help her little rosebush grow...with surprising results!!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story, although a little repetitive.

[Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a really sweet story about perseverance.

[Holli Schoch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A childhood favorite of mine. Still the same wholesome story I grew up loving

[Anne Hayner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming story of the power of hope and belief, and how a community can make it real. Thorn bushes really CAN produce roses, in unexpected ways!

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all need someone like Wanda in our lives.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wanda discovers a thornbush in an empty lot full of trash. Wanda clears the trash and takes good care of the rosebush. Wanda’s friends and neighbors are all doubtful that the bush will bloom. Wanda doesn't lose hope and she continues to care for the bush. One day, Wanda invites everyone to her “rose garden” for a tea party. Everyone gets to enjoy the beautiful garden. I really like how this book shows that you should continue to fight for what you believe in, even when others may be negative towards you.

[Gianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

-The premise of the story is about a little girl that discovers a thornbush growing in a dirty lot and believes it is a rosebush. She checks on it everyday waiting for it to bloom, cleans the lot so it can get as much sun as possible and waters the thornbush. She has a lot of faith and dedication to help that plant grow.

-2nd grade

-The illustrations helped enhance the book

-I think kids would find this story interesting

-I'd say a 6/10 because this book just showed a lot of faith in something that would never grow, but still making it happen in ways that cleaned the environment also.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanda sees a thorny bush in an abandoned lot and thinks it’s a rosebush. She cleans up the lot trying to get the rose to bloom. While cleaning up, various neighbors support her efforts.

Themes: community service, planning/dreaming, interdependence, perseverance

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this story and the inventive ending - shows how someone's vision can bring out people's new ideas and their community spirit, in service of connecting with each other and building a better world.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book on ecology and caring about your environment for children. Artwork is well done, and it doesn't get boring when you've read it a few dozen times.

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

One little girl is determined against all odds to see a thorny bush bloom with roses. Enough so that she gets a surprise from all her neighbors just as she attempts to give them a surprise.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story about a girl taking care of a dead bush that she believes to be a rose bush but also about taking care of your neighborhood and each other.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story about faith, hope, and hard work. When Wanda's "rosebush" fails to produce the expected precious flowers, she creates her own roses and inspires those around her.

[Maria Caplin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent community book. Reminds me of Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street. Excellent book for character traits and sequencing.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story about a community coming together and taking an abandoned lot and renewing the space.