Language of Flowers

Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh adult fiction This book was disturbing, but I couldn't put it down. The main character is an 18 year old who has been shuffled from family to family her whole life. She finally is placed with a woman who is good to her and teaches her all about vineyards, grapes, vegetables, and flowers. By this time, however, Victoria has learned not to trust anyone and pus

hes everyone away. She ultimately leaves and becomes homeless. The one redeeming quality she has is her knowledge of flowers that her foster mother taught her. Is it enough to survive? Victoria is definitely "damaged goods". She makes some VERY poor decisions. Can she find redemption and make amends with those who have come to be fond of her? Intertwined in the plot is the Victorian Language of Flowers. For example, giving a person Calla lilies shows modesty. Fennel shows strength. A great appendix in the back serves as a reference. http://aboutflowers.com/images/stories/Florist/languageofflowers-flowerdictionary.pdf

Take a City Nature Walk

Take a City Nature Walk

by

Jane Kirkland

Nonfiction, ages 8 and up

or

parent/child, student/teacher, pupil/park ranger, etc. with a child as young as 3 or so.

Part of the Take a Walk Series

This was on a list that the library and park system distributed on enjoying nature and enjoying reading about nature. We take our city animals and plants for granted. Think about the raccoons, crickets, crows, robins, dandelions, redbuds, & trees-of-heaven. If you lived in Hawaii or Iceland or Russia you would have completely different plants and animals to observe.

Even in a dingy, crowded, urban scene or in a pretty city park we can hear birds and see insects flying around. Even if you live in a condo or apartment there are hawks or seagulls or pigeons to observe. Even if it is winter you may have a ladybug, housefly or houseplant to see.

This is the kind of book we should read at least twice a year to remind us of what we take for granted.

I see that these are others in the series:

Take a Backyard Bird Walk

Take a Tree Walk

Take a Walk with Butterflies and Dragonflies

Take a Beach Walk

Since there are a number of ideas for projects, I can see that scouts, homeschoolers, and more would benefit from this book and series.

This book one an award from USA Book News, and is recommended by the National Gardening Association and the National Science Teachers Association.