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Dandelion
When Dandelion blooms in a beautiful, colorful garden, she is excited to meet everyone around her.
But when flowers start getting picked from the garden, Pansy tells Dandelion that she is a weed and no one will ever pick her from the garden.
Dandelion has petals just like any of the other flowers. Why wouldn't anyone choose her?
Will Dandelion ever be picked from the garden?
But when flowers start getting picked from the garden, Pansy tells Dandelion that she is a weed and no one will ever pick her from the garden.
Dandelion has petals just like any of the other flowers. Why wouldn't anyone choose her?
Will Dandelion ever be picked from the garden?
29 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2022
2 people want to read
About the author
Kayla Hicks
34 books55 followersHicks has been building her multi-genre career since 2014, her first novel being the young adult dystopian book, Kale Stone: An Outliers Tale. Since then, Hicks has gone on to publish several other works in the genres of YA, Superhero Fiction, and Children's books.
In addition to this growing collection of work, Hicks has made several appearances:
- The Lancaster Native Plant and Wildlife Festival to present her children's book Dandelion
- Lititz Public Library Indie Author Event to present all of her works to readers
- Adamstown Elementary Schools Read Across America Day to present Dandelion to 100 students
- U-Gro Learning Center to share Dandelion with young readers
- The Writing Community Chat Show
And has been featured in Lancaster Online for both The Backup Superhero and Today I'm Not Laurel.
Hicks enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and daughter and reading in her spare time.
Reviews:
"Towards the end, during one of their times hanging, I was in tears. I'm such a sap when the right mood and words hit. This is one book that just fit at the right time and found me in the right mood. Anywhere Else is exactly what I needed and I can't recommend this one enough for those who just want something sweet and uplifting."- Bookn.All.Night for Anywhere Else
"It's a short work. In fact, if you're a fast reader like myself, you'll have this done in a couple of hours, but don't let that fool you. It's an wonderful read with interesting characters that you want to know more about as well as the world they live in and you're definitely left wanting to know what happens next!"- Steve Vimes for The Backup Superhero
"This is an incredibly powerful and moving read. From the first few pages this is emotionally charged and deals with some difficult issues for a young character. Sadi is such a strong female lead, and Parker was a brilliant bestie too. I felt for both of these characters from the off. Some surprising events and a moving outcome."- Bobs and Books Blog for Secrets They Never Told
"What a lovely colourful book. Kayla's art work pops with colour and cheer, this beautiful book, with its tale of acceptance and how everyone (every flower) is different, and is a must for all children to have on their bookshelves."- Chris Horn for Dandelion
In addition to this growing collection of work, Hicks has made several appearances:
- The Lancaster Native Plant and Wildlife Festival to present her children's book Dandelion
- Lititz Public Library Indie Author Event to present all of her works to readers
- Adamstown Elementary Schools Read Across America Day to present Dandelion to 100 students
- U-Gro Learning Center to share Dandelion with young readers
- The Writing Community Chat Show
And has been featured in Lancaster Online for both The Backup Superhero and Today I'm Not Laurel.
Hicks enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and daughter and reading in her spare time.
Reviews:
"Towards the end, during one of their times hanging, I was in tears. I'm such a sap when the right mood and words hit. This is one book that just fit at the right time and found me in the right mood. Anywhere Else is exactly what I needed and I can't recommend this one enough for those who just want something sweet and uplifting."- Bookn.All.Night for Anywhere Else
"It's a short work. In fact, if you're a fast reader like myself, you'll have this done in a couple of hours, but don't let that fool you. It's an wonderful read with interesting characters that you want to know more about as well as the world they live in and you're definitely left wanting to know what happens next!"- Steve Vimes for The Backup Superhero
"This is an incredibly powerful and moving read. From the first few pages this is emotionally charged and deals with some difficult issues for a young character. Sadi is such a strong female lead, and Parker was a brilliant bestie too. I felt for both of these characters from the off. Some surprising events and a moving outcome."- Bobs and Books Blog for Secrets They Never Told
"What a lovely colourful book. Kayla's art work pops with colour and cheer, this beautiful book, with its tale of acceptance and how everyone (every flower) is different, and is a must for all children to have on their bookshelves."- Chris Horn for Dandelion
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 29, 2024
I absolutely loved Dandelion. I don't know a lot about flowers so it does not take much to teach me but I learned about the differences between pansies, dandelions and heathers. I also learned that a dandelion is actually a weed and in the end when each of them blooms and in what type of soil. I also loved that the perspective of the story was from that of the flowers as they stood tall and bloomed waiting to be picked or selected. Also teaching the kids the difference between petal, stem, leaf and roots was great. There were also lessons to be learned about diversity, hope and inclusion and that everyone deserves to be selected no matter how others perceive your value. Finally, I love that there were learning activities for kids at the end that they could use when exploring the world and picking flowers.
March 22, 2023
What a lovely colourful book.
Kayla's art work pops with colour and cheer, this beautiful book, with its tale of acceptance and how everyone (every flower) is different, and is a must for all children to have on their bookshelves.
I read through it today, and can't wait to share it with my 7 year-old at the weekend. (When I will add her views as well)
Kayla's art work pops with colour and cheer, this beautiful book, with its tale of acceptance and how everyone (every flower) is different, and is a must for all children to have on their bookshelves.
I read through it today, and can't wait to share it with my 7 year-old at the weekend. (When I will add her views as well)
March 24, 2023
Following the ubiquitous weed, Dandelion is an adorable tale about a tenacious plant striving to be seen for more than her label. The ugly duckling in the garden, this noble bloom perseveres despite naysayers.
Dandelion wakes up in the flowerbed not knowing she doesn’t belong until the Heathers and Pansies explain why she isn’t being picked to go home with one of the big things from the sky (a human). She doesn’t let their labels deter her: she counters their logic with science and explains she has the same structure that they do. When they tell her to give up, she stands tall and hopes for someone else to appreciate her beauty. One by one the other flowers are picked, yet Dandelion remains resolute in her goal.
The Pansy patiently explains why her brilliant colors make her an ideal choice and how she was planted and landscaped in contrast to the Dandelion being sewn by chance. She’s a bit snobby, and her behavior reminds me of some small children rigidly clinging to their knowledge about a topic.
The Heathers weren’t quite as snobby, in my opinion, but they did challenge Dandelion’s dream of being picked. They struck me as being a bit bossy.
The human featured was as unique as Dandelion: fluffy orange hair for petals, and a whimsical spirit seeing beauty where others did not. Diverse characters matter in books—we know it’s important for children to see people who look like them, and this book features a tiny redhead.
The garden this takes place in, and the flowers themselves, are vibrantly illustrated. I love the depictions, and, more importantly, my little one loves the book. After our copy arrived, we read it over and over again and I found my little one poring over the pages on more than one instance.
We all face rejections at some point, and it doesn’t feel good. We all have times where we have to keep trying even though it’s hard. This book combines STEAM with social-emotional learning. The appendices have age-appropriate resources for learning more about plants, including a life cycle and facts about the featured flora.
Dandelion is a short tale of grit and hope, sure to speak to the budding readers in your life.
Dandelion wakes up in the flowerbed not knowing she doesn’t belong until the Heathers and Pansies explain why she isn’t being picked to go home with one of the big things from the sky (a human). She doesn’t let their labels deter her: she counters their logic with science and explains she has the same structure that they do. When they tell her to give up, she stands tall and hopes for someone else to appreciate her beauty. One by one the other flowers are picked, yet Dandelion remains resolute in her goal.
The Pansy patiently explains why her brilliant colors make her an ideal choice and how she was planted and landscaped in contrast to the Dandelion being sewn by chance. She’s a bit snobby, and her behavior reminds me of some small children rigidly clinging to their knowledge about a topic.
The Heathers weren’t quite as snobby, in my opinion, but they did challenge Dandelion’s dream of being picked. They struck me as being a bit bossy.
The human featured was as unique as Dandelion: fluffy orange hair for petals, and a whimsical spirit seeing beauty where others did not. Diverse characters matter in books—we know it’s important for children to see people who look like them, and this book features a tiny redhead.
The garden this takes place in, and the flowers themselves, are vibrantly illustrated. I love the depictions, and, more importantly, my little one loves the book. After our copy arrived, we read it over and over again and I found my little one poring over the pages on more than one instance.
We all face rejections at some point, and it doesn’t feel good. We all have times where we have to keep trying even though it’s hard. This book combines STEAM with social-emotional learning. The appendices have age-appropriate resources for learning more about plants, including a life cycle and facts about the featured flora.
Dandelion is a short tale of grit and hope, sure to speak to the budding readers in your life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2023
This is a wonderful book full of love and sweetness. I especially adore the characters, pictures and the book's message.
If you want to encourage your children to learn more about flowers and nature, you will appreciate this gem.
Kayla is a brilliant author who has written many books. Many authors have connected with her on social media and she often shares her knowledge and experience.
Her daughter, whom she dedicated the book to, looks very cute also and makes a special appearance.
If you want to encourage your children to learn more about flowers and nature, you will appreciate this gem.
Kayla is a brilliant author who has written many books. Many authors have connected with her on social media and she often shares her knowledge and experience.
Her daughter, whom she dedicated the book to, looks very cute also and makes a special appearance.
April 12, 2023
Reading Dandelion, I was transported back to my childhood. How I would have poured over this book - over and over! I was eager to learn about the world, especially plants. I wondered why the magical and beloved dandelion was considered a weed. I would have gazed in amazement at another freckle-faced child like me. Kayla Hicks delivers all of this in bright and cheerful colors that are a joy to behold.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews