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Children's Fiction Insects, Spiders, Etc.

The Language of Flowers

by (author) Dena Seiferling

Publisher
Tundra
Initial publish date
May 2022
Category
Insects, Spiders, etc., Values & Virtues, Environment
Recommended Age
4 to 8
Recommended Grade
p to 3
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780735270534
    Publish Date
    May 2022
    List Price
    $24.99

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

An adopted bumblebee learns the language of flowers from her floral family in this enchanting picture book, inspired by floriography, that celebrates one of nature's most important relationships.

Deep within a magical meadow, some lonely flowers receive a very special gift: a baby bumblebee in need. The flowers name her Beatrice, they care for her and help her find her wings. And as she grows older, Beatrice learns the language of her floral family — messages of kindness and appreciation that she delivers between them. With each sweet word, the flowers bloom until the meadow becomes so big that Beatrice needs help delivering her messages and decides to set out in search of her own kind. But this little bee’s quest takes her beyond the safety of the meadow and into the dangerous swamp the flowers have warned her about, a swamp inhabited by strange plants with snapping jaws and terrible teeth . . . will these prickly plants let her pass? Could they just be in need of a little sweetness themselves?

A gently fanciful tale of the miracle of pollination and the important relationship between flowers and bees, this sweetly affirming story, inspired by the Victorian practice of floriography, suggests the secret to flourishing is kindness and appreciation.

About the author

DENA SEIFERLING is an illustrator and needle-felt artist living in Calgary, Alberta, with her husband, two children and two dogs. Alice and Gert is her second picture book. Her first book, King Mouse, written by Cary Fagan, was shortlisted for a Governor General’s Award. 

 

Dena Seiferling's profile page

Editorial Reviews

One of CCBC's Best Books for Kids & Teens (Fall 2022)

"Soft graphite illustrations conjure a fairy tale-like atmosphere." Booklist

"The graphite illustrations are well executed, representing the personality of each flower and a winsome Beatrice." CM Reviews

"The gorgeous illustrations in this picture book help tell the tale of a baby bee who grows up among a garden of flowers." Calgary Herald

Other titles by Dena Seiferling

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