Lucy's Blooms

by Dawn Babb Prochovnic, Alice Brereton (Illustrator)

A multigenerational story about a young girl who learns from her grandmother about the enduring nature of love, the strength in rejecting labels, and the wisdom in standing with those who are different. Featured in Children's Book Council's Summer 2022 Love Makes the World Go Round "In this grandmother-granddaughter story from Portland author Dawn Babb Prochovnic, little Lucy takes up gardening with relish, eager to win a flower contest. When the judges see her precious plants differently than she does, she wilts—but only for a moment. Alice Brereton provides delightfully vivid and expressive illustrations."
— The Oregonian "[Dawn] Prochovnic's prose gently anthropomorphizes Lucy's flowers [and] Brereton adds vibrant, textural digital spreads with an inclusive array of expressive cartoon-style characters. This gently encouraging tale will inspire young readers to garden—and maintain optimism while learning new activities."
— Publishers Weekly "A nurturing, affirmative, happy tale. . . Pervasive theme of love."
— Kirkus Reviews "This lovely and lyrical story is the perfect read aloud for themes of family, love, persistence, empathy and resilience."
— Writers' Rumpus The town’s annual flower contest is coming soon, and a young girl puts her heart into growing a lively bunch of flowers she finds in a meadow. As her grandmother guides her in nurturing a garden, the girl learns that winning isn’t the true reward—it’s the special love found in caring for something or someone. Lucy’s Blooms celebrates the joy and happiness that the world has to offer, through the beauty of nature, the kindness and love of family, and the unique specialness in the most unexpected places.

Genres: Picture Books, Gardening, Childrens, Summer, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 13, 2021

About the author

Dawn Babb Prochovnic is the author of Lucy’s Blooms, Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty?, Where Does a Pirate Go Potty? and 16 books in the Story Time with Signs & Rhymes Series, including one title that was selected as an Oregon Book Awards finalist. She is a contributing author to the award-winning book, Oregon Reads Aloud. Animated book trailers for Dawn's last three books (all with original music) and virtual story time readings can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/user/dprochov... . Dawn is a vocal advocate for school and public libraries and was honored as a 2015 Oregon Library Supporter of the Year by the Oregon Library Association. She is a frequent presenter at schools, libraries and educational conferences, and the founder of SmallTalk Learning, which provides American Sign Language and early literacy education. Dawn lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, two kids, two cats, and a feisty dog. Learn more at www.dawnprochovnic.com.

Reviews

[Moonkiszt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Featured in a grandma reads session.

Simple and appealing, all about Lucy and her flowers.

That's what our April theme is, so it fit the bill!

[Kathy MacMillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story of the nurturing power of love – Grams’ love for Lucy, and Lucy in turn pouring that love and care into her blooms. Like many children, Lucy must confront the reality that not everyone will see the magic she sees in the things she loves – some people might even dismiss them as weeds. But buoyed by the security and affection of her grandmother, Lucy knows that her blooms have something none of the prize-winning flowers can boast. Dawn Babb Prochovnic’s lyrical text skips along like Lucy’s twirling dance in the meadow, perfectly paired with Alice Brereton’s exuberant art. A celebration of connection – human to human, and human to nature - that shines with all the warmth of a sunny summer day in the garden.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucy puts her heart into her flowers in an attempt to win the town's flower contest, carefully watering them, shading them from the sun, singing them songs, telling them stories. When her flowers are rejected as weeds, Lucy gives her flowers her own award, Most Loved.

A beautiful story of caring and love.

[Laura Gehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

When my kids were little, they didn't understand why dandelions were considered "weeds" and bad/unwanted. They thought dandelions were beautiful and actually more magical than other flowers. After all, you can't wish on just any old flower! In Lucy's Blooms, Prochovnic's lovely prose and Brereton's cheerful art combine to tell the tale of a little girl who displays flexibility, persistence...and the ability to rise above other people's judgement. Lucy's Blooms is the story of figuring out what is truly important. It also highlights the bond between a grandmother and granddaughter and the fun of gardening. The final illustration cleverly hints at how love and joy, like dandelions, can grow and multiply.

[Michathebibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy's Blooms is an adorable story about a little girl and her strong bond with her grandmother through their shared love of gardening. The Flower Festival is approaching soon and Lucy wishes to enter. She searches for and befriends one special flower she finds in a meadow. The story chronicles the care and love she places in her friend in preparation for the contest.

What I had originally thought to be a simple story is anything but. This book is everything and more! I have read it multiple times already and each read just brings me joy.

Prochovnic's writing is just pure and elegant combined with Alice Brereton's bright and cheerful illustrations equals an unforgettable book that celebrates the beauty in simplicity.

This a must-read for all ages!

A huge thank you again to West Margin Press, Dawn Babb Prochovnic, Alice Brereton & LibraryThing for sending me a copy.

[Kirsti Call · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Lucy's blooms bobbed playfully as they basked in Lucy's love."

This lovely and lyrical story is the perfect read aloud for themes of family, love, persistence, empathy and resilience. It's an intergenerational story that shows the power of example- I love how Lucy cares for her blooms in a way that mirrors how her grandmother cares for her.

Whimsical illustrations add to the power of well chosen words to create the kind of story that lingers in your mind and heart--the kind of story that will evoke discussion about how we love, who we love and why it's important to accept and love all types of people.

[Gabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this charming picture book, Lucy finds a profusion of bright, yellow blooms dancing in the meadow behind her gram's house. She determines that these beauties would be perfect for the flower contest. She lavishes the flowers with love -- singing, whistling, watering, and even dancing for them. But the judges at the contest, pronounce Lucy's blooms "weeds," and disqualify them from the contest. But one person's weed is another's favorite, and Lucy doesn't let the judges have the final word. She'll make up her own mind about her blooms! I love Lucy's joy and the beautiful intergenerational relationship depicted between Lucy and Gram. The bright colors and playful textures in the illustrations are a perfect complement to this heartwarming tale of love.

[Cathy Mealey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy is a hard worker and gentle gardener who tends flowers with help from her grandmother in order to enter a blossom contest. Lovely, lyrical language reveals a story that unfolds in a delightful manner, embracing the idea that beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder and that all living things deserve nurturing and love. Touching and uplifting!

[J Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this sweet story, featuring a grandchild and grandmother, Lucy decides to enter her beautiful blooms into a flower contest. A resilient Lucy tenderly cares for her blooms, persisting even when the flowers are not flourishing. Lucy nurtures her blooms in the same way that her grandmother lovingly nurtures her. Her blooms win an award, not from the festival judges, but rather from Lucy herself. The illustrations in this gardening tale of persistence and love, add color and warmth to a wonderful story.

[DENISE · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautifully illustrated book with a meaningful story for young readers. It teaches children how to care for, respect, and love beyond expectation. It instills compassion and kindness. I can not speak highly enough about this book. It warmed my heart and that of my young reader's.

[Tracy Gold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy perseveres to grow flowers to show her love to her grandma--and realizes that love makes flowers grow, too! These illustrations are lush and gorgeous for this sweet story. Children who love gardening (like mine!) will love this book! A great Earth Day read for the classroom, too.

[Beth Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute story of innocence and nurturing. Just as Lucy's grandmother nurtures her, she nurtures her flower. And even when it turns out to be what someone calls a "weed," she is not deterred in her commitment and love. A refreshing reminder for adults too about judging others.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a story about a girl and her Gram. And I love gardens and flowers. This colorful, beautifully illustrated story has both, even if the garden is weeds in a meadow. We all know a pretty flower doesn’t have to come from an expensive bulb!
Thank you Dawn Babb Prochovnic and Alice Brereton and West Margin Press for sending me a free copy. It was delightful!

[Maria Lillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Dawn Babb Prochovnic and Goodreads, I won this book on a giveaway.
I thought this was a great children's book. Short, sweet and to the point. Any child would love this!!

[Lisa Kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated story about Lucy and her blooms (aka weeds). I love how she nurtures them and shows them love, even if she doesn’t win. What a valuable lesson with a beautiful spread at the end.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet story about the beauty of a dandelion in the eye of a kid.

[Keila Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightfully told story about a girl who like her grandmother loves gardening wants to enter blooms into a flower festival contest. While caring for them, she meets challenge after challenge, but she never gives up on them. At the festival, the judges don't see the same beauty that Lucy sees in her blooms. Throughout the story, the relationship between Lucy and her grandmother reveals where Lucy gets her ideas about how to care for her blooms. And in the end, she realizes it doesn't matter what others think, because beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And for Lucy, that beauty is being loved.

[Andreea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange of my honest opinion.

I really really enjoyed this book. I love dandelions and this book is full of them. It's a cute story about loving plants, no matter what they are, and taking care of them. It's a sweet simple story, with gorgeous illustrations.

[Jane Kurtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lowly dandelion might be scrorned by most people, but not Lucy! Important for those of us who love humble plants and the pollinators that visit them.

[Alayne Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I guess since other reviews talk about dandelions, I’m not spilling the beans if I mention them. One thing I liked about my experience reading the story was that I was so involved in Lucy’s attempts and failures to care for her blooms that I didn’t even think about them being dandelions. So, when the story came to the turning point during contest judging, I really felt Lucy’s pain. I love how on the three judging spreads the illustrator, Alice Brereton, shows the various facial expressions and body language in each character, including Lucy. I also like how she zooms in on each crucial moment. Having felt, Lucy’s pain during judging, Lucy’s wonderful reaction made the ending very satisfying for me. In addition to Lucy and her blooms, I like how the grandmother’s love for Lucy and her love for nature is mirrored by Lucy’s actions throughout. Finally, I like the subtle positive messages that are skillfully woven into the story.

[Carrie Finison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet intergenerational story has so much to offer. I loved how tender and persistent Lucy was as she cared for her blooms - actually a bunch of dandelions that she dug from the ground and put in a pot to compete in the flower show. I loved that the ways in which her grandmother cared for her were reflected in the ways that Lucy cared for her flowers. And I loved that she didn't win the contest - but realized that her blooms should win first prize for being loved the most. This is a lovely story about caring for other living things and what really matters most in the end.

[Claire W · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much as adults want to rid the world of dandelions, children love them. Lucy decides to nurture her dandelion blooms until they are ready to enter a flower contest. Using cues from her Grandmother, Lucy learns how to provide her blooms with what they need to flourish. The relationship between Grandmother and Lucy overflows with comfort and love. Lucy may not reach the goal she was striving for, but she experiences the joy of caring for something beautiful.
The lovely prose is enhanced by delightful illustrations full of humor and details that will catch a young reader's eye.
I did a fun virtual read of this with a three-year-old and a five-year-old. They loved it, and the story brought up many connections for them around gardening and grandmothers. I appreciate how Lucy's journey demonstrates perseverance and resilience, all in a funny, warm, relatable story about the life of weeds.

[Christine Zandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This heartwarming story of about Lucy, her grandmother, and their love of nature shows how there's beauty in the seemingly commonplace. With lively art and lots of heart, this book will be a hit with kids who enjoy plants and nature.

Even though Lucy wants her flowers to win in the contest, she connects with her plants and discovers that being awarded a blue ribbon by judges may have been what she set out to do, but it's not necessarily what's most important to her in the end.

This book is a good fit for Grandparents Day and Earth Day as both are celebrated in the story.

[Sierra Siminuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are a significant aspect of all children’s picture books. For this particular book, however, the illustrations are the most prominent part. They are vibrant and colorful, immediately bringing the words to life. Bright primary colors fill the entire page, leaving a minimal amount of white space on the majority of the pages. These bright colors relate to the idea of the natural world, as it shows just how strikingly beautiful nature can be. This picture book follows the story of Lucy, a young girl who, inspired by her grandmother’s love of gardening, decides to take her flowers to a gardening contest. Young children will easily follow this story, as the narrative is simple and not difficult to understand. However, the writing throughout this story, although lyrical and lovely, stayed primarily at the surface level. Furthermore, the character of Lucy is a bright point of this story, as she acts in ways that many children act. For example, she feels a multitude of emotions throughout this book, from determination, to contentment, to sadness, to love. Lucy has similar qualities to the character of Rosamund in the story “The Purple Jar” by Maria Edgeworth. Rosamund, just like Lucy, has a love for pretty objects. Unlike Lucy, however, when Rosamund did not get her way, she was incredibly disappointed. When the end of the story does not go how Lucy expected it to occur, however, she does not act disappointed for a while, as her grandmother reminds her of her talent and determination.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, the book just didn't make a lot of sense. The picture books these days confuse me because they never really have a point. The flower that Lucy was taking care of turns out to be dandelions (I had to google "the flowers that your blow").
It could've been a teaching moment for kids of how dandelions start out as yellow buds, and then they turn to white puffs that you can blow. It could've also been a teaching moment of how to take care of plants but the book was just all over the place. The flowers got too much sun, so Lucy waters it but how about the next day? Flowers need continuous, consistent care and you gotta do all of it to keep it alive; and this book didn't show that at all.
I'm probably expecting too much but that's my problem. Anyways, it was a fun read and the colors were nice and vibrant. See you guys soon, bye!!

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy is an energetic, happy little girl who always looks on the bright side when solving problems or facing disappointments. Throughout this lovely story she discovers that the journey of day-to-day blossoming love is much more important than any reward her nurturing might bring. The relationship between Lucy and her grandmother is warm and special and the illustrations are bright and cheerful. Young children will learn a few gardening tips along the way and the value of careful listening so they don’t miss out on special stories and songs. A fun book to read at bedtime or any other time you might want to slow down a hectic day.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pictures were a wee bit too bright. The colors were kind of hard on the eyes in some places actually. BUT, I really did love it. I can't wait until I can add it to our library. It left me warm, fuzzy vibes.

[Karen Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my favorite book of Prochovnic's. Lucy lives with her grandma and the story is about growing a flower for a contest with love and music - but it ends up being a weed (dandelion). oops It's still the most loved.
The artwork is okay. The book is okay.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Maggi Rohde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perseverance and a literal “growth mindset” make this picture book about caring for plants a winner.