Review of “My Sunflowers” by Tuula Pere, PhD

Score: 94/100 (9.4 out of 10)

My Sunflowers by Tuula Pere is a colorful, heartwarming children's book that explores the childlike wonder of growing your first flowering plant!

Do you remember the first time you brought a plant home?
Did you treasure it at first, then forget to water it?
Have you ever planted a seed and wondered what it would grow into?

Many of us have tried our hands at gardening. There's just something about it... the idea that such a little thing—a seed—can grow into a spectacular plant or flower with just the right amount of nurturing and care. A little bit of water, soil, sunlight, and care can make all the difference, not just in gardening but in life.

With that said, there's something very familiar, cozy, and comforting about this book. Pere's books always manage to capture certain feelings and emotions that many other children's books just can't, even with a book that seems as simple and mellow as this one.

My Sunflowers follows a curious little girl named Millie. Millie's parents seem to be passionate about gardening, specifically growing edible vegetables. Her parents view gardening in a practical way, choosing to only grow things they can eat.

However, Millie is compelled by the idea of planting and growing sunflower seeds.
Her mother tries to convince her that sunflowers can't be eaten and that she'd be better off planting something else. Mom tells her that gardening is a lot of work and that Millie would have a poor return on investment by growing sunflowers.

Millie won't be discouraged. In fact, the nay-saying seems to only stir her curiosity and ambition. Seeing some pots that aren't being used, she seizes the opportunity to start her sunflower-growing project!

She seems to use some of her chore earnings to buy seedlings from the local garden shop, whose owner shares her enthusiasm while echoing her mom's sentiments that gardening is a lot of work.

Millie excitedly sows her seedlings, doing so secretly, promising to take good care of the flowers.

She waters them daily and watches as they grow bigger and bigger, taller and taller.
Eventually, the buds blossom! A rush of joy and accomplishment washes over Millie as she realizes that all her time, dedication, hard work, and hopes had come to fruition.

However, the harsh seasons come. Autumn brings less sunlight, and a storm is brewing!
What can she do to protect her precious sunflowers?

Well, thankfully, she accepts the garden shop owner's advice to tie the flowers to stakes, helping to support them.

It should be noted that Millie herself appears to have grown by this point in the book, perhaps poetically.
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Millie is rewarded for her tireless effort and undying hope with the biggest, brightest, most beautiful sunflowers imaginable! They even impress and win over her parents!

What an inspirational and encouraging story for children! And it accomplishes this so subtly.
That's skill!

It should also be noted that the illustrations are great! Catty Flores's illustrations are really growing on us. They're a little unconventional, but they definitely work. Each of these illustrations is bright, colorful, and vibrant. We love the mossy textures of the vines on page 16. We love all the detailed flowers and produce in the market scene.

We can definitely recommend this book for parents to read to their children.

Check it out on Amazon!