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quippeThe Blurb On The Back:
One night, Jeremiah plants a packet of tiny sunflower seeds and makes a wish …
The next morning, a magical array of vines and leaves has burst through the ceiling of his apartment! When Jeremiah and his brother chase the plant up through the floors of their tower-block home, will they discover something even more magical along the way?
A glorious and uplifting story about the power of nature and community.
Jeremiah Bright lives in a tower block flat with his mum and older brother Theo. Jeremiah has a sunflower growing kit that’s he’s planted next to a photo of his dad because they were his favourite flower. Overnight though, the sunflower has grown violently and burst through the ceiling of their flat!
As Theo and Jeremiah race up the building to find the flower at the top and hopefully stop it, they meet their neighbours and see a little of their everyday lives - all the way up to flat 62 where the frightening Mr Crisp lives, the man who is always telling them to be quiet …
Lanisha Butterfield and Hoan Giang’s picture book is a luscious celebration of life, nature and community. The colours are vibrant and the illustrations packed with character and a sense of place and I liked the fact that there is also a subtle sense of grief in the background as Theo and Jeremiah are dealing with the death of their father. All in all it’s an entertaining read that shows the importance of neighbourhood and connection.
There is a lot to enjoy in this book, from the relationship between Jeremiah and his older brother Theo (who’s reaction to the sunflower eruption is humorously realistic to the peek into the lives of their neighbours in the tower block. The fact that the boys have lost their father is something that is highlighted at the start but this is not a book about loss, it is about life and it is about how nature can bring people together. Giang’s illustrations are gorgeous and there are lots of lovely little details to be spotted in each of the neighbouring flats.
If I have any criticism then it would be about the fact that Theo is very young to be left looking after his brother (and I know that’s probably true of life but it did still bother me) and Mr Crisp isn’t quite as intimidating as he is meant to be so when he shows kindness at the end, it is not really a surprise. These are two very small things though because this is a joyous to read and likely to be enjoyed by young readers.
The Verdict:
Lanisha Butterfield and Hoan Giang’s picture book is a luscious celebration of life, nature and community. The colours are vibrant and the illustrations packed with character and a sense of place and I liked the fact that there is also a subtle sense of grief in the background as Theo and Jeremiah are dealing with the death of their father. All in all it’s an entertaining read that shows the importance of neighbourhood and connection.
FLOWER BLOCK was released in the United Kingdom on 6th June 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.
The next morning, a magical array of vines and leaves has burst through the ceiling of his apartment! When Jeremiah and his brother chase the plant up through the floors of their tower-block home, will they discover something even more magical along the way?
Jeremiah Bright lives in a tower block flat with his mum and older brother Theo. Jeremiah has a sunflower growing kit that’s he’s planted next to a photo of his dad because they were his favourite flower. Overnight though, the sunflower has grown violently and burst through the ceiling of their flat!
As Theo and Jeremiah race up the building to find the flower at the top and hopefully stop it, they meet their neighbours and see a little of their everyday lives - all the way up to flat 62 where the frightening Mr Crisp lives, the man who is always telling them to be quiet …
Lanisha Butterfield and Hoan Giang’s picture book is a luscious celebration of life, nature and community. The colours are vibrant and the illustrations packed with character and a sense of place and I liked the fact that there is also a subtle sense of grief in the background as Theo and Jeremiah are dealing with the death of their father. All in all it’s an entertaining read that shows the importance of neighbourhood and connection.
There is a lot to enjoy in this book, from the relationship between Jeremiah and his older brother Theo (who’s reaction to the sunflower eruption is humorously realistic to the peek into the lives of their neighbours in the tower block. The fact that the boys have lost their father is something that is highlighted at the start but this is not a book about loss, it is about life and it is about how nature can bring people together. Giang’s illustrations are gorgeous and there are lots of lovely little details to be spotted in each of the neighbouring flats.
If I have any criticism then it would be about the fact that Theo is very young to be left looking after his brother (and I know that’s probably true of life but it did still bother me) and Mr Crisp isn’t quite as intimidating as he is meant to be so when he shows kindness at the end, it is not really a surprise. These are two very small things though because this is a joyous to read and likely to be enjoyed by young readers.
The Verdict:
Lanisha Butterfield and Hoan Giang’s picture book is a luscious celebration of life, nature and community. The colours are vibrant and the illustrations packed with character and a sense of place and I liked the fact that there is also a subtle sense of grief in the background as Theo and Jeremiah are dealing with the death of their father. All in all it’s an entertaining read that shows the importance of neighbourhood and connection.
FLOWER BLOCK was released in the United Kingdom on 6th June 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.
