How to Speak Flower - by Molly Williams (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Birthday flowers. Valentine's Day flowers. Sympathy flowers. Red vs. yellow roses. Carnations. Orchids. We give/receive flowers for all sorts of reasons, but have you ever wondered what these beautiful flowers are REALLY trying to say? In this fully illustrated book, young readers will learn how everything from the color to the genus of a flower can communicate the simplest message. This is not your typical gardening book with step-by-steps to prepping soil, planting seeds, etc. (although we'll have a section on how to plant the perfect garden for your personality). Channel your inner horticulturist and learn the language of flowers! Featuring a similar illustration style to The Junior Witch's Handbook and Astrology for Black Girls, this gorgeous (and gifty) book will guide young readers as they learn to decipher the deeper meanings behind some of the most beautiful flowers. From Ancient Greece to the Middle Ages, to Victorian times to today, flowers are given as symbols of love, celebration, remembrance, friendship, etc. The book will include interactive elements like quizzes ("What's Your Flower Power?") to color codes charts, and a section called "How Does Your Garden Grow?" that will allow readers to create/plan a personal garden that is the best representation of their "kindred" flower spirits"--

Book Synopsis

A beautifully illustrated guide to the history and symbolism of flowers for every plant lover.

Sunflowers are symbols of friendship. Gardenias represent secrets and mystery. Irises say, I trust you. Flowers bring color and beauty to the everyday world around us, but flowers aren't just pretty: Throughout history, they have been used to express ideas about ourselves and the people we care about.
From asters to zinnias, from baby's breath to forget-me-nots, learn the magical, meaningful language of flowers with this magnificent guide to floriography. The secrets of every bloom and blossom are revealed ... and with personalized quizzes and handy charts, you'll discover your own flower power!

Review Quotes

"A flowery purchase that's bright and beautiful."--School Library Journal

"Williams groups flowers by their association with love, friendship, gratitude, celebration and healing. Using a light, conversational tone, she describes each flower's characteristics and symbolism and offers fast facts...sections include several DIY projects, from flower arrangement to making homemade potpourri, while interactive quizzes throughout extend the floral fun."--Booklist

"This enthusiastic handbook offers a very concise history of floriography, or the idea that flowers can represent ideas and emotions, followed by entries on various blossoms that symbolize love, friendship, gratitude, celebration, and healing. Fluffy floral fun."--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Molly Williams is a born and raised Midwesterner living in New England. Most of the time you can find her working on her thesis for the MFA Creative Writing program at Emerson College, but the rest of the time you'll find her with her nose in a book or getting her hands dirty in the garden. She is constantly trying to find ways to make her two passions, writing and floral design, intertwine.

Illustrator and pattern designer Miriam Bos comes from the Netherlands. (Interesting trivia: Her last name is Dutch for "forest.") Miriam loves creating art that brings a smile to your face. A big lover of nature, Miriam lives in Apeldoorn, a city that is surrounded by forest ("bos") and heide ("heath").