Blossom and Bud

by Frank J. Sileo PhD, Brittany Lakin (Illustrator)

Overview

This story will help kids love themselves all around, no matter their shape or size. Includes a Note to Parents and Caregivers about nurturing a positive body image in children.

Blossom and Bud live in Mr. Baxter's flower shop, among plants of every imaginable size, color, and shape. Blossom doesn’t like how tall she is and tries to hide her height. Bud doesn’t like how he looks, so he tries to force his flower to bloom. But Mr. Baxter thinks they are just right, as they are, and has a special role for each of them. 

This new story is from the author of the popular books that feature Bentley the bee, Bee Still: An Invitation to Meditation, Be Heartful: Spread Loving Kindness, and Bee Calm: The Buzz on Yoga, as well as Snitchy Witch, Did You Hear? A Story about Gossip, A World of Pausabilities: An Exercise in Mindfulness, Don't Put Yourself Down in Circus Town: A Story about Self-Confidence, and Sally Sore Loser: A Story About Winning and Losing. 

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781433835162
Publisher:	American Psychological Association
Publication date:	04/13/2021
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)
Lexile:	AD510L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Frank J. Sileo, PhD, is a New Jersey licensed psychologist and the founder and executive director of The Center for Psychological Enhancement in Ridgewood, New Jersey. Dr. Sileo works with children, adolescents, adults and families. He is consistently recognized as one of New Jersey’s top kids’ doctors. Dr. Sileo is the author of 11 other award-winning children’s books that have been translated into four languages. His recently published parenting book deals with parenting chronic medically ill children. He speaks across the country, is published in psychological journals, and is quoted frequently in the media. Visit drfranksileo.com and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DrFrankSileo.

Brittany Lakin is an illustrator and designer whose achievements include placing Top 25 of Pictoplasma’s Face Off and being shortlisted for the Templar Illustration Prize. She lives in the UK. Visit brittanyelakin.com and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @BrittanyELakin.

Editorial Reviews

2021-03-02
Two flowers learn the power of self-acceptance.

Blossom, a tall, willowy sunflower, and Bud, a tiny budding sprout, both live in Mr. Baxter’s shop. They are surrounded by roses, lilies, daisies and more. The other flowers (with glaring eyes and laughing mouths) ridicule and mock them: “Blossom, you’re too tall!” and “When are you ever going to grow, Bud?” The poor pals droop in dejection. When Mr. Baxter announces a special project, Blossom and Bud shrink away, knowing they will never be chosen. But the very same traits that embarrass them turn out to be exactly what are needed. Blossom is used as a bouquet centerpiece, and Bud is used as a corsage—for a couple to be married who share similar qualities to the floral pair, the slender bride towering over the diminutive (but also thin) groom. Continuous yellow rays of sunshine stream throughout, adding extra warmth and cheer. Two full pages of notes to “Adult Florists” about fostering a healthy body image in children are appended. While the text lauds “love and beauty in all shapes and sizes,” Lakin misses the opportunity to offer children a fat protagonist, and although the supporting cast is racially diverse, Mr. Baxter, the bride and groom, and many front-and-center guests all present White. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-16-inch double-page spreads viewed at 56.3% of actual size.)

Blooms with positive textual messages (not so much in the art, though). (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews