Today's read struck me with the idea that a wildflower would wander...and the sweet looking flower in the middle. I'm hoping it isn't too message driven and weaves that nicely into an enjoyable tale with a character to enjoy. Maybe, we'll learn a little about flowers along the way?
Let's open it up and find out!
THE WANDERING WILDFLOWER
by Brooke Fruge
Illustrated by Eduarda Bittencourt
Sutra House
Picture Book
38 pages
ages 4 to 8
COMING NOVEMBER 17th!!!
She thought she was searching for her place. Her roots already knew.
Somewhere in a sunlit field, a small wildflower wonders if she belongs.
She's not as tall as Sunflower. Not as bright as Marigold. Not as far-reaching as Ivy. So she wanders — asking questions, watching closely, quietly wondering what her own purpose could possibly be.
But beneath the meadow, something extraordinary is happening. Roots are reaching. Roots are connecting. And while Wildflower wanders above, she is being held below — by the very community she's searching for.
The Wandering Wildflower is a luminous debut from The Wonder House — a picture book about belonging, purpose, and the quiet courage it takes to ask who am I? Written for the child who feels a little different, a little uncertain, a little small against a very big world. And for every parent who has sat beside that child and wished them the words.
She was never lost. She was just learning to see.
Somewhere in a sunlit field, a small wildflower wonders if she belongs.
She's not as tall as Sunflower. Not as bright as Marigold. Not as far-reaching as Ivy. So she wanders — asking questions, watching closely, quietly wondering what her own purpose could possibly be.
But beneath the meadow, something extraordinary is happening. Roots are reaching. Roots are connecting. And while Wildflower wanders above, she is being held below — by the very community she's searching for.
The Wandering Wildflower is a luminous debut from The Wonder House — a picture book about belonging, purpose, and the quiet courage it takes to ask who am I? Written for the child who feels a little different, a little uncertain, a little small against a very big world. And for every parent who has sat beside that child and wished them the words.
She was never lost. She was just learning to see.
MY TIDBITS
Thoughtful curiosity blossoms and blooms in these pages while bringing readers a little closer to the world of flowers.
A little wildflower has her roots in the ground and constantly wonders about all sorts of things. Why is the flower next to her so tall? Or why do some flowers around seem to need more water? Finally, she grabs her courage and simply asks. Soon, she finds herself wandering here and there, learning about various flowers. Still, she feels a little lonely...until she realizes something and her roots run deep with those of so many around her.
While there is an obvious message in these pages surrounding differences, individual purposes, and a hing at how communities bring everything together, it whirls smoothly into the story about this little flower. She's extremely innocent and her thoughts aren't wrong. It's enjoyable to see her meeting various flowers with her questions and learning a little more as well as gaining friends. The questions are simple and come across very naturally as do the answers. This isn't about technical facts or sheer biology, but rather gives readers a light dive into flowers...like hummingbirds needing pollen from certain flowers. And there is little to no terminology because that isn't the purpose. Still, it teaches the first steps into the jobs and difference of flowers.
The story is light and cheerful...and curious. It asks questions readers are familiar with and ask themselves when they want to know things. I did have to smile that the wildflower's roots were always pictured in the ground as she wandered...just not very deep. That allows for a very meaningful visual change at the end. Also, there's a clever, subtle word play with wander and wonder going on. Oh, and the illustrations—can't forget those. They are simple, letting the flowers stay front and center in a sunny atmosphere. These are nicely done and bring across the personalities of the flowers softly, drawing readers in.
It's an enjoyable read either as a read-aloud in a group or one for more personal settings. It also works nicely for introductions to themes surrounding flowers in classrooms and for homeschoolers.
And here she is...
Brooke Frugé has always known that the best stories begin at bedtime.
A South Carolina native, Brooke shares her home with her husband, her son, and two very loyal dogs. The nightly ritual of read-alouds — voices slowing, pages turning, a small head on her shoulder — first moved her to pick up a pen. Her independently published Marlon the Monster Truck series, which follows a lovable, big-hearted truck through the joys and frustrations of growing up, found a devoted readership and established her as a natural storyteller for the picture-book age.
With The Wandering Wildflower, published by The Wonder House, Brooke opens a new chapter in her work. Quieter, deeper, and rooted in belonging, it is the book she wrote for every child who has ever felt a little small against a very big world. And for the grown-ups lucky enough to read it beside them.
Brooke believes children deserve stories that take them seriously. Her books are love letters — to her son first, and then to every brave, bright kid who discovers themselves in the pages.
