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The Flower Man
This beautiful, wordless story told visually from beginning to end features a small, meek man who transforms a small town through simple moral principles. The characters' stories are woven together to create a tale that spans borders and nationalities and will refresh the human spirit with principles of compassion, honesty, integrity, and generosity. Children will also delight in searching for Squeakers the mouse, hidden somewhere on every page.
24 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2005
13 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
About the author
Mark Ludy
22 books24 followers Mark Ludy is an author, illustrator, and speaker. His first book, The Farmer, was a finalist for the children's book of the year and is a Recommended Read for Scholastic's Reading Counts Program. He lives in Windsor, Colorado.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
April 3, 2019
I need a Flower Man!
May 22, 2011
5 5 5 5 5 full stars! This is now one of my favorite virtually wordless picture books. Do not rush through this one! It’s worth it to view everything very meticulously and that takes quite a bit of time with this book. Color is used brilliantly to help tell this story. It’s a lovely and special story that can be appreciated on so many levels. One person can make a difference, the potential for a community to grow and change for the better, oh so much. And the illustrations are just wonderful as pictures. I love this book!!!
November 15, 2019
How can anyone
not
like this book? This uplifting tale shows how one person can make a big difference in lots of lives without spending a lot of money. By the end of the story, Ludy has also exemplified what it means to 'pay-it-forward.'
Obviously, the art carries the story, and the story deepens when more time is spent studying each page. I wonder if the artist shown in one of the windows is Ludy's self-portrait.
A definite keeper.
Obviously, the art carries the story, and the story deepens when more time is spent studying each page. I wonder if the artist shown in one of the windows is Ludy's self-portrait.
A definite keeper.
May 3, 2012
The Flower Man demonstrates how strong of an impact one person can make. The Flower Man moves to a dark and gloomy community and soon his good character begins to spread throughout the neighborhood. And then he is off to do the same in another dark and gloomy community.
Ludy's illustrations are brilliant. I loved the side stories that are told through the windows of the Flower Man's neighbors. I also appreciate the strategic usage of color in the illustrations.
Ludy's illustrations are brilliant. I loved the side stories that are told through the windows of the Flower Man's neighbors. I also appreciate the strategic usage of color in the illustrations.
July 21, 2024
Stranger comes to town…and begins spreading hope like…flowers! A unique wordless book with digital art illustrations. You can tell the author put a lot of heart in there. And yes! Jimmy! Iykyk
June 10, 2011
Oh my, we love this virtually wordless book! The only words are the opening sentence. First thing I am doing after writing this review is seeking out other works by Mark Ludy.
I read this first by myself and then again twice more with my two year old daughter, with each read finding something charming and new. This book is fabulous! I suspect I could read it 10 times and find something I didn't see before. A beautiful tale of a sweet little old man bringing joy to a colorless town through flowers. Seriously, if you love wordless books you must read this one!
I read this first by myself and then again twice more with my two year old daughter, with each read finding something charming and new. This book is fabulous! I suspect I could read it 10 times and find something I didn't see before. A beautiful tale of a sweet little old man bringing joy to a colorless town through flowers. Seriously, if you love wordless books you must read this one!
September 26, 2018
1. Awards: N/A
2. Appropriate Grade Levels: Preschool- 3rd Grade
3. Summary: A colorful, old man enters a black and white town to fix up an old house. Everything and everyone the man interacts with slowly turns to color. As his gift of kindness and happiness has changed the whole town to color, it is time for him to leave and share his generosity with another group of people.
4. Review: This book encourages a child's imagination all while spreading the important message of kindness. The simple image of color spreading across the page, highlights the moral of the story and allows the child to focus on the specific act occurring. I found myself flipping through the book multiple times, noticing something new when I looked back at the pictures.
5. Use:
a)With older children you can have them work on a creative piece of writing where they choose a character, one originally in black and white, and explain their life before and after they met the Flower Man.
b) For younger children, you can use the book to discuss what acts of kindness they have done. You can write down the examples your students gave and display them around the room as a daily reminder of how to treat people.
2. Appropriate Grade Levels: Preschool- 3rd Grade
3. Summary: A colorful, old man enters a black and white town to fix up an old house. Everything and everyone the man interacts with slowly turns to color. As his gift of kindness and happiness has changed the whole town to color, it is time for him to leave and share his generosity with another group of people.
4. Review: This book encourages a child's imagination all while spreading the important message of kindness. The simple image of color spreading across the page, highlights the moral of the story and allows the child to focus on the specific act occurring. I found myself flipping through the book multiple times, noticing something new when I looked back at the pictures.
5. Use:
a)With older children you can have them work on a creative piece of writing where they choose a character, one originally in black and white, and explain their life before and after they met the Flower Man.
b) For younger children, you can use the book to discuss what acts of kindness they have done. You can write down the examples your students gave and display them around the room as a daily reminder of how to treat people.
September 14, 2022
“The Flower Man” is a wordless picture book that makes you think about what is going on in the story. There is a lot going on in the illustrations, and this book gives the audience a chance to be open minded. In the book, it shows that an old man is walking through a dark place. Whenever he would put flowers on something or someone, it would light up with color. At the end of the book, it says “Color your world.” That is very powerful to children because they have their whole lives ahead of them, and they have control of who they are. They can use their kindness or other features to change the world. The flower is representing kindness, so when the man gives it to the little girl at the end, she is overjoyed with happiness. Actions reflect who someone is as a person. Good life lesson picture book!
May 16, 2025
This was the sweetest book. I took my time with it, lingering on each page, peeking into every window, and following the characters from scene to scene. It felt like wandering through a quiet little neighborhood where something magical is just beginning to bloom.
At first, I missed the ending and had to go back and look even more closely—but when I finally saw it, the emotion caught me off guard. I was overwhelmed in the best way and nearly started crying. It’s such a subtle, powerful moment tucked into the whimsy.
I would love to have my own copy of this darling book. It’s the kind of story you want to return to again and again. A must “read”—even without a single word.
At first, I missed the ending and had to go back and look even more closely—but when I finally saw it, the emotion caught me off guard. I was overwhelmed in the best way and nearly started crying. It’s such a subtle, powerful moment tucked into the whimsy.
I would love to have my own copy of this darling book. It’s the kind of story you want to return to again and again. A must “read”—even without a single word.
May 30, 2018
What happens when someone who believes in the power of color and flowers enters a sad, colorless space? His influence grows...others take notice. He shares his love...the optimism grows. Lives are changed, people reach out instead of staying focused on their own misery.
Reading these reviews, I realize I need to take another trip thru this beautiful book to find the mouse...Squeakers is on every page. Individual stories of characters in the background grow and change as the characters come under the spell of the Flower Man and his love of life.
Reading these reviews, I realize I need to take another trip thru this beautiful book to find the mouse...Squeakers is on every page. Individual stories of characters in the background grow and change as the characters come under the spell of the Flower Man and his love of life.
February 9, 2021
The Flower Man was by far my favorite book this week. This book had the most success in my opinion of using just illustrations to convey the message that one person/thing can give joy to all of those around us. The color placement and choice utilized throughout the book helped display this message, the flower man was the only person who was in color until he started giving neighbors flowers which in return spread happiness causing them to be drawn in color as well. I loved the ending where after he was done spreading happiness in one place he moved onto the next!
May 21, 2017
The Flower Man (Hardcover)
by Mark Ludy
Wordless picture book, an old man comes into a bland town. He brings light, he brings color, and he gives it away. After he comes the neighborhood not only is more colorful but more connected by the act of giving.
This is a great book to show anticipation, to show beauty and show genuine act of change by bringing your self and showing it two the world.
by Mark Ludy
Wordless picture book, an old man comes into a bland town. He brings light, he brings color, and he gives it away. After he comes the neighborhood not only is more colorful but more connected by the act of giving.
This is a great book to show anticipation, to show beauty and show genuine act of change by bringing your self and showing it two the world.
July 12, 2017
I'm not usually a big fan of wordless books, but this one is amazing. There are, in fact, a few words at the very beginning of the book..."My grandpa always said, 'Everyone's got a story....you jus' gotta find out what it is.'"
Although the story's primary protagonist is the flower man, there are multiple stories in this wordless picture book. The central message of the story is how we touch one another's lives, but there are many lives, so there are many stories.
Although the story's primary protagonist is the flower man, there are multiple stories in this wordless picture book. The central message of the story is how we touch one another's lives, but there are many lives, so there are many stories.
September 26, 2022
Delightful
A story that says it all—without words. It takes great illustrations and a clever mind to create a story such as this. The message? Any one of us can tigger a positive change. And there’s said to be a well-hidden mouse on every page. Great excuse to ‘read’ this book again and again.
A story that says it all—without words. It takes great illustrations and a clever mind to create a story such as this. The message? Any one of us can tigger a positive change. And there’s said to be a well-hidden mouse on every page. Great excuse to ‘read’ this book again and again.
August 15, 2018
Some guidance about how to 'read' this book with a child:
https://blog.allaboutlearningpress.co...
We should all be The Flower Man and bring color and inspiration to those around us!
https://blog.allaboutlearningpress.co...
We should all be The Flower Man and bring color and inspiration to those around us!
February 28, 2020
The story is so sweet, and the Flower Man is wonderful. However, some of the people are really scary-looking, and what's with the big guy in the bathtub all the time? You may want to pre-read this if you're planning to read it with little kids.
January 26, 2021
Cute
A very short story, but very cute. Definitely something that I enjoy reading with a younger child, like three or four years old –because these are the kids that will enjoy looking at the pictures and making up their own stories with the characters.
A very short story, but very cute. Definitely something that I enjoy reading with a younger child, like three or four years old –because these are the kids that will enjoy looking at the pictures and making up their own stories with the characters.
April 9, 2019
Best picture book ever!
October 1, 2020
My kids love looking through each page and finding the new story they missed each time they do. Mark Ludy is a fantastic artist and the story he tells with this book is a powerful one.
October 20, 2020
This wordless picture book shows how much one person can impact others. He turns a dark and gloomy town into one that prospers and is bright.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2021
Love the idea of spreading color and light to those around us.
February 15, 2021
Love, love, love this picture book. All illustration, no words needed, very poignant.
May 29, 2021
The Flower Man brings joy and love to the town.
May 25, 2022
Gorgeous! This picture-only hardcover edition is one of those special book purchases. I've put it away for the grandies!
February 7, 2023
This is now one of my most favorite books!!! I love the message of this amazing wordless picture book.
August 9, 2024
beautiful how it demonstrates without words how one persons kind acts affect his whole community and beyond
December 21, 2025
el libro que me cambió la vida
February 27, 2017
Awards the book has received (if any): N/A
Appropriate grade level(s):Preschool-3rd Grade
Original 3-line summary: A man that is colorful moves into a town that is black and white. He gives a flower to a girl that starts a chain reaction of kind acts. With every interaction, the pages become more colorful.
Original 3-line review: This is a worthwhile 'read' for people of all ages. It teaches the importance of kind acts and the impact people can have on the lives of others. Through beautifully illustrated images, the stories of many characters are told.
2-3 possible in-class uses: For children in lower elementary grade; after the book is shown, the teacher can ask the students to write small acts of kindness they have done or that people have done for them. Since the man in the story gave the girl a flower, the acts of kindness can be written on flowers. The flowers can be turned into a display in the classroom. This can serve as a reminder to always be kind and mindful of the way children interact with others. For children in upper elementary grades; Students can choose one character in the book and write a story about their life. This writing prompt allows students to integrate their imagination and creativity into their writing.
Appropriate grade level(s):Preschool-3rd Grade
Original 3-line summary: A man that is colorful moves into a town that is black and white. He gives a flower to a girl that starts a chain reaction of kind acts. With every interaction, the pages become more colorful.
Original 3-line review: This is a worthwhile 'read' for people of all ages. It teaches the importance of kind acts and the impact people can have on the lives of others. Through beautifully illustrated images, the stories of many characters are told.
2-3 possible in-class uses: For children in lower elementary grade; after the book is shown, the teacher can ask the students to write small acts of kindness they have done or that people have done for them. Since the man in the story gave the girl a flower, the acts of kindness can be written on flowers. The flowers can be turned into a display in the classroom. This can serve as a reminder to always be kind and mindful of the way children interact with others. For children in upper elementary grades; Students can choose one character in the book and write a story about their life. This writing prompt allows students to integrate their imagination and creativity into their writing.
February 20, 2017
I know that this is a book for every age. Into a gray village world of people and animals peeking out of their windows, high and low, but they appear angry or unhappy in some way. I believe one could look at each double-page spread for a long, long time. The detail amazes, and then the magic begins. The Flower Man arrives and moved into a house with a "for sale" sign. The first flower appears, and the first color, along with a young girl given a flower and she moves along the sidewalk, IN COLOR! That Flower Man cares about life, his garden, and the neighbors. It's quite an amazing book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews