Florette: A Beautiful Picture Book About the Magic of Nature and Finding Friendship in the City for Kids

by Anna Walker

When Mae’s family moves to a new home, she wishes she could bring her garden with her. She’ll miss the apple trees, the daffodils, and chasing butterflies in the wavy grass. But there’s no room for a garden in the city. Or is there?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nature, Gardening, Fiction, Environment, Realistic Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published February 20, 2018

About the author

Anna Walker writes and illustrates children’s books, including six with author Jane Godwin as well as her own Florette. The illustrator’s imagery is inspired by tiny details in the world around her. She lives in Melbourne, Australia.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this kind of story. This poor girl is a gardener. Her parents moved her to the city where there is no green. It’s a concrete jungle and this little girl is so sad. She longs for plants and draws them on everything. Why would you bring a little girl like that to the city —yeah yeah, I know, work.

Anyway, She finds this beautiful greenhouse and it’s closed. It gives her hope and as they settle into the city she finds her way. I have read a book similar to this before and I just love this type of story. Of course, she finds a way to plant her own garden. Yes.

The nephew read this with me. He used to love being outside, but now he would rather stay inside and watch TV or play video games. It’s a bummer. Anyway, he did feel something for the girl who needed plants. He thought it was a good story and he liked the end. He gave this 2 stars.

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is nicely illustrated picture book about a young girl who moves to the city and misses her garden. She tries to find ways of bringing what she misses into her new home. I like the dog in this story, well observed. The story is nice enough but I found it simplistic with it's message and I couldn't help wondering if someone who was used to their own garden with trees would find comfort in some pot plants, I certainly don't think a dog would be impressed with this swap.

[Laura Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover art is so detailed and beautiful. An amazing picture book.

[Jackie Ostrowicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When Mae's family moved to the city, Mae wanted to bring her garden with her." The book opens with every family member carrying what's most important to them: the dad lugging two boxes (probably with computers and whisky inside); the mom toting the baby sister, and Mae with a backpack containing stuffed animals and holding an already-wilting flower. This is a sweet little book about a child who moves to the city, longs for green spaces, finds one, and ends up creating her own green space in her apartment courtyard.

(The one thing I couldn't help thinking: who on earth is watering all those plants?)

The illustrations in "Florette" are done in watercolor; Walker's gentle style softens the cityscape and courtyards; the varieties of green used in the flower store makes it appear to burst to life among the grays, taupes and mauves of the city buildings and streets.

Anna Walker is a lovely illustrator. You can see more of her work on her website . I'm tempted to get her other books, of which there is at least half a dozen, just to see more of her illustration style. You should also watch this darling video of her talking about her work--it's wonderfully filmed; has a beautiful song in the background, and her accent is divine.

This particular picture book is her latest as author-illustrator, and has been shortlisted in the 2018 CBCA awards for Picture Book of the Year, the 2018 Australian Book Industry Picture Book of the Year Awards, the 2018 Australian Design Association Picture Book of the Year Awards, and the 2018 Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children’s Literature.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm rather torn on this one. The story of a little girl forced to leave her beloved garden behind to move to a big, nearly treeless city depressed the hell out of me, but I loved how she found ways to create her own "gardens" amidst the cement and asphalt. Three stars for the story, plus an extra for the author's lovely artwork.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Florette: meaning a small flower, and the Latin name for a Roman goddess of flowers.

Anna Walker never ceases to amaze me. Not only has she written the sweetest little picture book, but she has also illustrated some of the most stunning images that I've ever seen; Floretteis a true piece of art. What's more the combination of Walker's simply but elegant text and her beautiful illustrations ensure that the story's heart and gentle nature is capture perfectly on every single page.

Floretteis a book about change, patience, persistence and adaptability. Here is a small child whose whole life has been surrounded by luscious gardens and space now confined into a small apartment in a sprawling urban city. With the loss of her beloved garden, Mae tries to reconnect and recreate her oasis to no avail. Until she finds a new one, all of her own making.

It's a book that speaks from the heart; a sweet book about a young girl's desire for her beloved garden and the road she takes to establish one of her own. It's a perfect learning tool for young kids, and one that will hopefully inspire others.

Walker's illustrations are second to none, and some I find myself often seeking out time and time again. No matter how many times I've read this book now, there is always something new and exciting to discover within the folds of the pages. It's a sensory overload of the best kind.

With subtle environmental notes, Florette is an extraordinary tale for young children and adults alike. Here is a book that speaks of childhood innocence and longing, about our place in the world and the love and care we have for it. It seeks to illustrate how limited our relationship with nature has become and all it takes is that one spark for hope to grow.

Florette is a beautiful and one of a kind picture book that will leave you with a smile on your face and a desire to harvest your own picturesque garden in no time.*

*As a girl with no green thumb, post reading this book I've found myself gazing at the smallest of pot plants and watching it slowly but lovingly grow.

This review was originally posted at The Never Ending Bookshelf and can be found here: http://wp.me/p3yY1u-18B

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable and inspiring! This picture book for children drew me in with its sweet cover, and lovely interior illustrations. I'm in the mood for nature/garden/tree/flower books, of all kinds, with many April occasions soon to occur. Earth Day and Arbor Day are favorites, leading up to the best: May Day. May 1st is no longer much celebrated, but I have fond childhood memories, and a fun festival to still attend every year!

Returning to the book: Florette entices with its lush, overgrown, indoor garden entrance on the cover, and tiny Mae looking longingly through the glass. We follow Mae from her family's move to the city, away from her beloved backyard trees, flowers, and birds. Though she is initially disappointed in her new surroundings, intrepid Mae perseveres in her own gentle manner, remaining positive while she searches for a way to improve her new home.

To say more would spoil the plot of the story, which has limited text. Every page has illustrations that steal the show... but the message is a gentle one that most children will appreciate. Recommended content for ages 4-8. Younger toddlers may enjoy the pictures too.

[Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a setting that is distinctly Parisian, Florette tells the tale of Mae, who longs for the garden she left behind when moving to the urban area. I adore the message of creating a green space out of city gray; the muted illustrations helped drive this point home. It would be a wonderful book to read for Arbor Day.

[cindy ♕]

Anna Walker writes the sweetest picture books, and this one had such a creative message of hope and transition. Super cute read with my student, who could not stop obsessing over the pretty watercolour illustrations. 🙃

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous illustrations, love the deep greens and the whimsical, detailed drawings of lit win the city!
This picture book promotes the idea that we can all find a little bit of green (and I'm not talking about a smoothie!) no matter where we live.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet, gentle story about a child who moves from the country to the city and is struggling to find and create her "quiet" places in her new environment. It is a sweet story about the power and importance of nature and how it feeds our souls. I loved the beautiful illustrations as well!

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

A touching story sweetly illustrated. Mae's experience of moving to a new place and trying to find hints of her old life in her new city is universal. I loved how she ended up making her own place that made her happy, but I realllllllly wanted to see inside Florette!

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can not imagine not having a garden to muck about in, so I have much empathy for Mae. Not only does she have to move and leave her friends behind, she also has to leave her garden.
This picture book shows how she creates her own garden and makes new friends at her new home in the city.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a delight.

[Nafise Beheshti · Rating 5 out of 5]

وا�� از تصویر‌سازی‌ش! همین یه مورد کافی بود تا از میون یه عالمه کتاب این یکی رو برای بچه‌ها انتخاب کنم.
هرچند که داستانشم برای من جذاب بود 🥺

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Mae’s family moves to the city, they can’t bring their garden with them. All Mae has around her now are moving boxes and a brick courtyard. She fills the courtyard with chalk drawings of butterflies, grass, and more but it’s all washed away when it rains. She draws daisies, grass and apple trees on the boxes too, but they tip over and are moved away. Mae spots an open space out of her window and leads her mother there, but it’s all pebbles rather than green. On their way back, Mae discovers a florist shop with a window filled with green plants and even one poking out the door. She takes that little end of the plant and from it starts the garden that her family said she would have, just a different one than she expected.

This picture book looks at moving and change through the lens of green space and creating your own solutions for a problem. Mae is an inventive little girl, independent as she leads her mother through a new neighborhood and creative as she finds a solution where others might not see one. The watercolor illustrations show a tall gray city but also one with a river, trees and children waiting to play. Mae sees it as cold and unfriendly, but readers will see new possibilities too. A look at resilience and finding your own way, this picture book is a treat. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walker, Anna Florette. PICTURE BOOK. Clarion Books (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), 2018. $17. 9780544876835

After Mae's family moves from the country to the city, she desperately misses the plants she had been used to. In contrast, the city feels gray and lifeless. But then she discovers a small weed growing outside a jungle-like store named, simply, Florette. She takes the tiny plant home. Can Mae really make a garden of her own in the middle of this gigantic city?

This is a sweet story about appreciating the natural world, no matter where you live. Walker's watercolor illustrations are gorgeous and complement the story quite well. I do find it a bit distracting that the store, Florette, is never explained. Is it a garden center? A florist? An arboretum? A community garden spot? Or something else entirely? Despite the ambiguity, this is a lovely book with a very satisfying ending.

Pre-K, EL (K-3) -- ADVISABLE. Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic read-aloud for discussion about change and adjusting to change, Florette also lends itself to a basic study of plants, how to get ideas for stories, and time compression in writing.

Younger students will enjoy the watercolor illustrations and the attempts Mae made to bring her beloved plants and trees with her to the city. Older students can have a great discussion after a read-aloud. Can plants actually grow as fast as they seem to at Mae's apartment? How can plants take root in water? In dirt? Be sure to read how Anna Walker got the idea for this book (found on the inside back flap.)

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving to a new home in a new city can hard, especially for youngsters. Mae’s family moves to a new home in the city, and she misses her friends, and the trees, and all of the green places to play. Young readers who have moved will definitely be able to relate to Mae and her feelings of loneliness. Kids might also be inspired to make the best of their own yards and neighborhoods when they see what becomes of a small sprout Mae finds and plants in a jar. The watercolor illustrations are awesome and complement the story nicely.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a lovely children's book about starting a garden!

The story follows sweet little Mae, who misses her garden when she and her family move into the city. Mae is lonely and misses the greenery, until one day she takes home a sprout and starts her own plant garden. The pictures are charming and inspiring. Recommended for little gardeners.

This book came to my attention thanks to The New York Times' annual list of the best illustrated children's books. I seek out that list every year and always discover some gems.

[Kalynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story reminded me a lot of The Gardener (a favorite of mine) where a country girl moves to a city home, greatly missing all the plants and flowers. Mae tries to think of some way to keep her love of plants alive in this new concrete environment, but with little luck...until, with the aide of some binoculars, she spies some space. Swinging in this green space, she spies and follows an "apple-tree bird" that takes her to the sprouting of her in this new city space.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Mae and her family move to the big city, she wants to bring her garden with her, but her mother tells her that she can make a new garden. It doesn’t seem like it would be possible. “Instead of winding paths and leafy hiding spots, all Mae found was a cranky cat.” But once she gets out and has a chance to explore, she finds a beautiful forest within the city and brings a sprout back to start her garden.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving is difficult for Mae. She left behind her garden and apple trees and gained pavement and skyscrapers. Her failed attempts to recreate a garden with sidewalk chalk and moving only deepen her sadness until she finds an apple-tree bird who guides her to Florette, a botanical heaven that inspires a successful idea for how to reimagine her garden. Vibrant yet soft water colors pull readers into Mae’s stark sadness as well as her joy for plants.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mae moves to the city and misses her garden. She tries drawing one but it washes away, she tries building one, but the tree keeps getting knocked over. Out the window she sees some swings and then follows a bird to Florette's, but it is closed. However, she sees a small green sprout out front.

Container garden story for the young.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A girl wants to take her garden with her when she moves to the city, where everything is crowded and gray. After trying sidewalk chalk and picnics to brighten things up, she and her mother take a walk that leads to a wonderfully green discovery that changes Mae and her new neighborhood.

It’s fun to watch for the birds and butterflies in the book.

[The Library Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I were reviewing this solely for the art it would get a 5, because it is gorgeous.
But something in the story didn't work for me, or for my assistant, who is herself a very talented artist, and I'll quote her on this. "I liked it, but I don't know why."

And I am not sure of the child appeal quotient on this. We will see.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated picture book that tackles the issues of belonging when a family moves to a new home. I love the emphasis on gardens and open spaces. These are places that inspire creativity, learning and imagination. Such important things in children’s lives.

[Ruth Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mae's family relocates to the city. Mae is heartbroken to leave her garden behind. She searches for a garden in the city. When she finds one - that is not accessible to her - it gives her an idea. :)
Gorgeous watercolor illustrations.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story of a creative little girl who loves her garden and the nature that surrounds her! She has to move with her family and is forced to give up her garden! Now in a new city is her garden lost forever or is there still room for one?

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such wonderful use of watercolors! I love seeing the technique behind the boxes and buildings, yet it is the spreads with hundreds of leaves in various green hues that really amazed me! I cannot imagine the patience it takes to paint that so wonderfully. The story is somewhat predictable.