Flower Girl Butterflies

by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard, Christiane Kromer (Illustrator)

Although excited about the part she will play during the big event, Sarah begins to get nervous that she may do something wrong when the time comes and so turns to her mother for advice and guidance, in a charming tale about a determined flower girl with a common case of the pre-wedding jitters.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 30, 2004

Reviews

[Jenga · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm constantly on the search for books that feature African-American children and specifically African-American girls as central characters. It's so vital for my daughter to see herself reflected in the stories she reads. The illustrations in this book are gorgeous, depicting the characters beautifully. An added value is that the girl in the story sports natural hair. I want my daughter to feel assured that she is perfect just as she is, naturally.

Another plus is the focus on emotions. This book is about a little girl experiencing the excitement and anxiety of participating in her aunt's wedding. Talking about emotions gives children the tools to verbalize and express their own emotions. It also lets them know that it's okay to feel the way they feel, and gives them options of ways to respond to those feelings.

Love this book!

[Gabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book when my aunty and uncle asked me to be a flower girl at their wedding. In Flower Girl Butterflies, Sarah is asked to be the flower girl in her Aunt Robin and soon-to-be Uncle Jeff's wedding. Although she is excited to get a new dress and see all her relatives, her stomach fills with butterflies as she begins to think of all the things that can go wrong. I think this book is perfect to give to any little girl who is asked to be a flower girl as it can help them ease their nerves and show them what being a flower girl means. I especially like how it is centered around an African-American girl as it adds to multicultural literature and allows for more readers to relate. This book can also be used in the classroom to talk about our fears and the things that make us nervous. When kids get butterflies for the first time, they may not know what that is so this book could help start a conversation what it is and how we can deal with it.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an enchanting picture on the cover!

I can't wait to learn about Sarah, who's going to be the flower girl in Aunt Robin's wedding.

On its own terms, this book succeeds. So I'm giving it FIVE STARS.

In a COMMENT box below, I'll share why I think this story was a missed opportunity to expand a child's understanding of life.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A girl overcomes her fear of being A flower girl and enjoys her family during all the events of a wedding.

[Kaelee Bungard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really sweet book on how you shouldn't let nerves get the best of you. It also has really cool illustrations!

[Nicole Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading this book becasue it talks about how a little girl was afraid of being a flower girl. Her Aunt Robin is getting married and wants Sara to be in the wedding. Being in the wedding is something she has never done before and this frightens her. This book is great for teaching about feelings, and sequencing. I think a fun activity for the students would be drawing something thing that makes them feel scared or drawing butterflies in the belly.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed this book. I think this would be a great book to read when someone is nervous about a situation and don't really know what steps to take to overcome that particular situation. I remember when I was younger, I was very nervous yet excited to sing in front of a live audience for Chorus. After overcoming my fears, it was all worth because I really enjoyed myself and would definitely do it again.

[Cailean · Rating 5 out of 5]

My girls LOVED this book (ages 3 and 5) when we got it from the library late last year. They wanted to read it every night. It is told from the girl's perspective and how she was nervous to be her aunt's flower girl but then realized she had the confidence to do it. Really cute drawings too.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the book because it tells about how the little girl is nervous and then her mom helps her get through her nervousness. I like it because the little girl is happy for the bride. I like it because Donna gave me this book.

[Tessa Napolitano · Rating 4 out of 5]

shares the beauty and magic of weddings from a younger perspective--great for young girls