Prunella

by Beth Ferry, Claire Keane (Illustrator)

From New York Times bestselling author Beth Ferry comes a fantastical and unforgettable picture book about an unusual girl whose purple thumb helps her cultivate a truly macabre garden.

When Prunella is born with a purple thumb instead of a green one like her parents, everyone’s stumped. What could it mean? Before long, they find out. Prunella prefers corpse flowers to carnations, fungi to ferns, and poison ivy to petunias. The stickier and scarier the plant, the more Prunella loves it.

And if her poisonous and noxious garden keeps the other neighborhood kids away, it’s probably for the best. But then one day, a curious weed of a different sort pops up…

Should prickly Prunella uproot this tentative new friendship or allow it to flower?

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Childrens, Nature, Gardening, Plants, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published July 16, 2024

About the author

Beth Ferry is the author of the picture books Stick and Stone and Land Shark. Her family has cared for myriad pets, including two land sharks, a hedgehog, a blue-tongued skink, and a heap of hamsters, but her absolutely perfect pet is an English bulldog named Winston. She lives in New Jersey.

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARCQuest: Book 34

Two picture books releasing summer 2024 about two very cool “weird” girls with even weirder gardens? Sign me up!

This one was a sweet story about finding friends who just “get” you. Prunella is prickly in all the best ways!

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not expecting this to be so good.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

It's so delightful that 2024 brought us two separate picture books about weird girls who have weird gardens, I seriously love that.

I don't think I enjoyed this quite as much as I did Millie Fleur's Poison Garden, and it's impossible to compare due to the similarities and release proximity, but I did really enjoy this, and it stands on its own as something different.

The story follows Prunella who has a purple thumb instead of a green thumb, which means she does her best work growing plants that sting, smell, poke, poison, and eat things. Because she isn't like other kids, she has a hard time making friends, and the time alone makes her prickly too, but eventually she makes friends with other kids who have similarly strange interests to her. The art is super cute, the story is sweet, and the vibes are immaculate. Also, the inside cover at the front and back shows some great details about different plants that Prunella grows in her garden.

This is definitely worth the read, especially for kids who are weird, who have trouble making friends, or who love gardening.

[beatrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

gorgeous artwork, made me tear up while reading at work

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prunella was born with a purple thumb. Her parents who were master gardeners didn't know what it meant to have a purple thumb, but it soon becomes apparent: Prunella loves persnickety plants like poison ivy and the Venus flytrap. Her parents "didn't always understand Prunella's choices, but they completely understood her passion. And they fueled it!" And that's great because it turns out that the neighborhood kids were nauseated by her garden. They rejected the garden and rejected her. It's tough for Prunella, but she doesn't change. She loves her plants and finds true joy in caring for her garden. Fortunately, she does eventually meet some kindred spirits. First she meets a kid who wants to be a botanist and then his little sister who wants to be a mycologist. As a result Prunella meets more budding botanists and "a curious entomologist" who worm "their way into Prunella's garden, into her greenhouse, into her heart." A beautiful picture book with wonderful illustrations, a heartfelt message about being true to oneself and one's interests, and some interesting facts about some unusual plants.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story of a girl born with a purple thumb instead of green and her resulting interest in persnickety, sometimes poisonous or prickly, plants that cause her a lonely childhood, until another with her interest finds her and introduces her to others with complementary interests. Endpapers give information on Prunellas plants.

[Annalie Plaetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED IT! Everything about this book I LOVED! The story, the illustrations, the science, the facts on the front and back covers, the fairytale quality! I can’t wait to share this book with students as a read aloud and as a book to check out!

[Hannah Showalter · Rating 5 out of 5]

DELIGHTFUL! So sweet and such a cool art style. Also, can you tell I'm locking in and actually reading all the books I'm promoting at my first visit to the public schools for work to promote summer reading next week, lol.

[Maris Mckinstry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute story that has a message. I enjoyed this story more than my 5 year old and the illustrations were absolutely stunning.

[Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story, even if it ended kind of abruptly/on an odd note. I don’t usually think “this picture book should’ve ended 4 pages earlier” but here we are, I guess. 😂

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prunella, born with a purple thumb, is an avid gardener of unusual and prickly plants, which makes it difficult to make friends. The artwork here is the star of the show.

[Joshua Gross · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has the exact same plot of Millie Fleur's Poison Garden, but I like the more vibrant illustrations

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Wednesday Addams, don't miss Prunella! She tends her unusual, prickly garden full of strange and smelly plants by herself...until she finally finds some friends who share her passion for peculiar plants!

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prunella is a great character, who loves all sorts of prickly plants, but she has trouble finding friends who understand her passion.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review copy provided by publisher, however, all thoughts an opinions are my own.

"Prunella" by Beth Ferry is a charming and thought-provoking children's picture book that explores themes of individuality, and how beautiful differences between children can be. The story begins with Prunella's birth, where she surprises everyone with her purple thumb, a stark contrast to her parents' green thumbs. This unique trait reveals that Prunella has a special interest in unconventional plants! She discovers she adores corpse flowers, fungi, and poison ivy, far more than the typical "normal" garden flowers.

Prunella's garden, filled with sticky and scary plants, naturally keeps the neighborhood kids at a distance. However, the story takes a turn when a different kind of weed, (a curious little boy) makes an appearance. The book's metaphor is clear: Prunella’s journey mirrors the experiences of children who grow up with unique interests that might set them apart from their peers.

The illustrations in "Prunella" are by Claire Keane and are particularly striking, with their moody and unique jeweled tones. These visuals perfectly complement the story’s theme, adding depth and atmosphere to Prunella’s unusual garden.

As the story progresses, Prunella finds acceptance and friendship by sharing her knowledge and passion for her prickly plants. She teaches the other children about the beauty and intrigue of cacti, Venus flytraps, and other fascinating flora. The book "Prunella" sends a powerful message about embracing differences and finding common ground.

Overall, "Prunella" is a delightful book that encourages children to appreciate and celebrate their unique interests. It’s a perfect addition to any child’s bookshelf, offering both a captivating story and a valuable lesson in acceptance and understanding.

[Patricia Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really cool. It made me think of Millie Fleur's Poison Garden by Christy Mandin.

[Raven Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pair with Millie Fleur's Poison Garden by Christy Mandin and you will have a great collection of people being different and having a good time. Delightful story and wonderful illustrations make this a favorite for this year.

[Artemis Crescent · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book that teaches children that being different is good. That stepping out of boxed lines, out of what is socially considered "normal", is good.

Just my kind of picture book and comic.

'Prunella' is a coming-of-age story about a young girl born with a purple thumb instead of a green thumb like her parents, and she uses her unique gift to grow and garden poisonous, or otherwise harmful, predatory, disgusting, or ugly, plants, instead of pretty flowers. Prunella is fascinated by these "weird", "scary", "gross" plants, and loves them, being a misunderstood social outcast herself. Nobody around her really understands her and her interests and talents. But maybe they'll come to eventually? One by one?

Misunderstood weirdos unite! Spread the love and community!

I learned so much about so many different types of plants whilst reading 'Prunella'. A lot of these "scary" and "ugly" cacti, fungi, shrubs, weeds, wildflowers, thorny-thicketed brambles, insectivorous Venus flytraps, poison ivy, cobra lilies, voodoo lilies, bladderworts, corpse flowers, carnivorous pitcher plants, skunk cabbages, witches'-butters, scarlet firethorns, and blackberries, are actually cool and interesting.

I also love how supportive Prunella's parents are, despite not fully understanding her. She's different from them, and that's okay! They understand her passion for plants and gardening, at least, and they fuel and encourage that passion in their particular, peculiar, prickly, brilliant, unique daughter!

'Prunella' - an ode to difference and individuality, and family and friendship. An inspiration. A must for aspiring botanists, mycologists, and entomologists, as well. Very diverse, to boot hoot root.

Blooming greenhouses! Buggy and batty! And spidery! What a weeny, weedy violet that nonetheless takes root and then sprouts into the most heartwarming, plump, thorned purple lily, with an edge, a sting!

Final Score: 4/5

P.S: I can't look at the eponymous title without thinking of the actress Prunella Scales, and there's an Italian fairy tale called 'Prunella', or 'Prezzemolina', and prunella vulgaris is a real purple flower and healing herb, too. Oh and it's a grape wine, a gin, a worsted fabric, and a real British Thoroughbred racehorse from the 18th century. So there's that.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even prickly cactuses can be endearing, when they find themselves understood.

Prunella's parents both have green thumbs. So, when she's born with a purple one, they aren't sure what to think. But they do know that she'll love plants. And she does—but not ones with pretty flowers. Prunella likes thorny, stinky, carnivorous and odd ones. Her parents foster her interests, although her plant choices aren't considered normal. Unfortunately, the other kids don't appreciate her garden of cactuses, fungi, thorny plants and more. Although Prunella doesn't have any friends, she loves her plants and begins to grow as thorny as they are. When a young boy asks her about his sick Venus Fly Trap, she finds herself in a new, unexpected situation.

I love the informative and illustrated inside of the book's covers. These present a simple sketch of the plants found in Prunella's garden and give a short description of each one. Since these are real plants, it's a nice way to slide in a bit of botany goodness. This entire book packs lovely illustrations, too. The details and artistic touches mix wonderfully to build each fascinating scene, and these fit very well to the unique garden Prunella grows and cares for. Plus, the illustrations bring across the emotions very well (especially the parents.).

The story flows nicely and never leaves a moment of boredom. Prunella comes across with a pinch of oddness, but is sympathetic. It's easy to connect with her as she finds herself isolated and feels misunderstood, yet still enjoys working with her plants. As the magic of friendship weaves in, a little humor guarantees smiles and even a giggle or too. But it's the odd twist on the plants, which makes this read shine with personality...and will spark curiosity in, at least, several listeners.

It's a fun story with tons of heart, and that despite stinky blossoms and sharp thorns.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three cheers for Prunella! I love books that show that it’s okay to be “different” and that you don’t have to change in order for the right people to find and appreciate you. (For, really, if you do change, your “right” people likely won’t find you!) This story is such a perfect blend of whimsy and reality, humor and heart. Prunella’s unusual interest in traditionally unpopular plants is evident from her earliest days (she is born with a purple thumb rather than a green thumb, after all) but her parents nurture her interests and want her to grow in her own way. Yet, they aren’t oblivious to society at large, they sometimes feel concerned with Prunella’s lack of friends and her “prickly” behavior, “but they had given her strong roots and knew she would blossom as soon as she was ready.” I absolutely love that when Prunella finds friendship even her friendships don’t look like the typical friendships that are promoted in typical picture books where you’re friends with everyone in your class and that’s that. It’s the true interest in a shared subject, rather than simply proximity and age, that really brings them together and the friendship is richer because of that. This is one of my favorite picture books this year and you’ll even learn about some of the plants mentioned in the book (though, I will say, though I adore Prunella, I don’t think I’ll ever have the affinity for voodoo lilies or warted puffballs that she does, haha!)

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Prunella is born with a purple thumb, her parents are quite confused. What could it mean? Surely Prunella will love plants just like her master gardener parents. And she does! But... she likes strange plants. Persnickety, prickly plants. Her neighbors and classmates don't understand her passion. So her beloved plants become her friends. And when your best friend is a cactus, well - you might be a little prickly yourself! One day, quite unexpectedly and not necessarily welcomed with open arms, a kindred spirit appears asking for help. Compelled by curiosity and a tiny seed of hope in her heart, Prunella agrees. Soon there are other like-minded folk vising Prunella's wonderful garden and the tiny seed of friendship blossoms and grows in Prunella's heart.

I really loved how supportive Prunella's mom and dad were. They did not necessarily understand Prunella's passion for peculiar plants but they didn't interfere. They were worried by her lack of human friends and relationships but trusted that eventually Prunella would find her own community. And they rejoiced when she did.

Be sure to peek under the dust jacket please.
Very different but Perrott's Moo Hoo has a similar message of finding your own tribe.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prunella is born with a purple thumb and her green-thumbed gardener parents are shocked! It turns out that as she gets older, Prunella shows a preference for stinky, sticky, and scary plants, like cactuses, venus flytraps, fungi and poison ivy. Her parents support her love of unusual plants, but Prunella gets odder as she gets older, and no kids want to be friends with the prickly kid. One day, a little boy admires Prunella’s garden, and is not repelled by any of her plants. In fact, he comes back with his sister, who aims to be a mycologist. And Prunella had found her peeps!

Bold, deeply colored art anchors this entertaining book about a spirited kid who doesn’t fit the mold. It also contains information and great vocabulary about plants not usually found in family gardens. In fact, the front and back endpages show “Prunella’s Persnickety Plants,” 18 plants with descriptions and illustrations found in the book’s pages. The ending is fun: Prunella and her new friends find a hairy root which turns out to be a blackberry plant. All of their thumbs get stained “a deep and lovely purple – just like Prunella’s.”

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

Absolutely adorable. A gorgeously-illustrated tale of being yourself, following your passions, and finding your people.

To the surprise of her green-thumbed parents, Prunella was born with a purple thumb. While she loves all things prickly, sticky, stinky, and odd, the other children don't share her interests. So Prunella makes friends with her plants and accepts not having any human ones... until someone unexpected arrives in her garden.

I love how supportive Prunella's parents are. They don't always understand her, but they are always there for her and allow her to follow her interests.

The artwork is splendid and pairs perfectly with the text. I absolutely love the endpapers, which give a bit more information about the different "persnickety plants" found in Prunella's garden.

Beautiful messages about accepting differences, being open to change, and finding others with shared interests. A fantastic read and that ending was too sweet.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Prunella is born with a purple thumb instead of a green one (like her parents), they are at a loss. What does it mean?
Prunella loves gardening but her love of gardening is a more macabre sort: Poison Ivy and Venus Fly traps, among many other spooky, carnivorous, poisonous, and smelly plants are Prunella's forte.
If it keeps the neighborhood kids who think she's weird at bay, so be it.
When a weed pops up, will she let this particular one bloom or pluck it?

Beth Ferry and Claire Keane give us a unique look at botany, friendship, identity, and solve the mystery of Prunella's purple thumb, in a fun and delightful story. I also respected that Prunella's parents didn't push her one way or the other, even with their own green thumbs (socially or in gardening).

To be honest, I hadn't heard of some of the plants in Prunella's garden, but the front and back covers do provide a glimpse into some of the plants mentioned in the book. So, it was a fun learning experience for me too.

What's your favorite plant in Prunella's garden?

[Jared White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only is this an engaging story about some very peculiar plants and the girl who loved them, but it's also a reminder that sometimes it takes a while to "find your tribe" that shares similar interests.

Sometimes we've been so hurt while trying to find that tribe, that we may need a prick from a cactus (or a little nudge from the universe) to remind us to connect with a kindred spirit when we finally have the chance (though a little caution is certainly understandable). I also like that these kindred spirits are not all exactly the same, for instance, one is a botanist, one a mycologist, and one even an entomologist. It's a reminder that even if someone isn't interested in precisely the same things as you, try to be aware of and delight in the overlaps. It can be a joy to not only be able to teach a friend something new but also have them be able to teach you as well, which is the opportunity provided by slightly diverging interests.

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This girl has a stinky garden and a prickly one as well. Venus fly traps and skunk cabbage, Corpse lily and cobra lily, poison ivy as well. Prunella was born with a purple thumb. Her garden was filled with strange things that bugs enjoyed. Most kids in the neighborhood didn’t like it one bit and Prunella was lonely. She made friends with her plants.

Still, one day a boy was interested in her garden and her fungal plants. The boy wormed his way in and Prunella couldn’t keep this friend away. Isn’t it interesting how our interests bring people to us. They sort of help us find our people. What interests us will set the coarse of our lives many times.

The artwork is digital. I like how Prunella fits in with her garden. The plants are strange and drawn with care. They have an attitude.

Prunella is a bit prickly and yet, she is still likable. I think this was a fun read. Kids interested in quirky subjects or gardening will enjoy this book.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the idea of this book, but I think Mille Fleur's Poison Garden, published also in 2024, is better. I wasn't clear on the goal for this book. Did Prunella want friends or not? Did she end up getting what she wanted, or not? Some of the text was too wordy. The book felt unnecessarily long overall. It's impossible not to compare this book with the other, and I simply liked the art and story of the other more. This one also contains some inconsistencies as well. For example at the end (SPOILER ALERT), Prunella discovers the blackberries and holds one up. She's wearing a red shirt and holds only one berry. The next page, she's in a different outfit with a full basket of berries as, "Her new friends were holding up something too. It was their thumbs." This feels like it should be the same moment as the previous page, but the clothing change and the full basket say something else. That's a disappointing lack of continuity.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I give this book 1 million stars? This is an amazing book in every way that matters and I cannot recommend it more The wonderfully accurate botanical information, the non-didactic narrative that shows how every one will eventually find their tribe, even if it doesn't always feel that way, and the supportive parents that encourages their child's quirky passions (even though they have concerns just like every parent). The illustrations suit the text and you and your little book dragons will be pouring over these for hours. We have read this book so many times already and I am not looking forward to having to return this copy to the library again. This book has made my kids want to explore their own purple and green fingers. This book has sparked discussions about following our unique passions and using our unique gifts. This book has made me want to read everything that this author has written. Yup. I think it is safe to say that I like this book.

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

Prunella is born with a purple thumb and grows up loving the most stinky, smelly, and prickly plants. The other kids in her neighborhood think that her garden is dangerous and weird, soon turning Prunella herself into a prickly person. Can she ever find someone who will understand her interests? This is a great book on believing in yourself and that there is tribe out there for everyone. I love all the lesser cultivated (but important!) flora as well as the back matter giving more information on these real-life plants. I also really appreciate that Prunella’s parents are supportive throughout, never making their daughter question her choices even when they worry for her. A great book for gardeners and those with interests that differ from current norms (but probably future trend setters).

[Milton Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prunella was born to two green-thumbs who love plants. Turns out that Prunella has a purple thumb. She loves those thorny, smelly, and weird plants the most! She tends her garden every day with love and care, but her garden sure makes it hard to make friends. Over time, Prunella finds the right friends who are just as weird as she is. This book is made for all those kids who are just a little bit different and find it harder to fit in. The illustrations are just amazing, and really bring the book to life! You will love the story of this little misfit finding herself and where she fits into her world.

Find it in our SHARE Catalog today!

Ashley C. / Milton Public Library #CheckOutMPL