About the Holiday
Spring is here and so are those vibrant yellow flowers that spring up on lawns, in gardens, along roadways, and anywhere there’s a bit of soil, sun, and rain. I’m talking, of course, about dandelions! With their gloriously yellow flowers and fly-away seeds, these little plants are part of spring and summer landscapes around the world. While most may consider the dandelion a weed, it is, in fact, much more. Technically, the dandelion is an herb that has many health benefits. Dandelion leaves can be used in salads, soups, and teas, and they provide aid with regulating blood sugar, wound healing, gastrointestinal problems, and even vision. Known for their healthy properties since 659 BCE, dandelions are a staple food for many global cultures. To celebrate, check in your favorite grocery store or farmers market for dandelion leaves and try a new recipe!
Thanks to Bloomsbury Children’s Books for sharing a copy of Tiny Wonders with me for review consideration. All opinions on the book are my own.
Tiny Wonders
By Sally Soweol Han
April wished her town wasn’t so… gray. Everyone was always rush, rush, rushing here and there, plugged into their phones, their music, or their podcasts. She never heard laughing or saw anyone “look up at the sky.” She wanted to “help them all slow down” like her grandma, who was never too busy to notice all the wonders in the world. One of her grandma’s favorite wonders was flowers—especially dandelions. “‘Did you know there’s a secret language of flowers?'” she asked April. “‘Dandelions mean happiness,'” she said. That made April think that perhaps dandelions could make the world better.
Copyright Sally Soweol Han, 2022. Courtesy of Bloomsbury Children’s Books.
April went in search of dandelions and dandelion seeds, but found none. The gardener told her they were weeds, and the bus driver said they made him sneeze. The shopkeeper remembered how she used to wish on dandelions when she was little. April thought maybe dandelions were magic. She wished and wished and wished for a dandelion seed all the way home. When she got to her doorstep, she discovered, to her delight, that dandelion seeds had followed her home. She collected them then waited for the perfect time to plant them.
Copyright Sally Soweol Han, 2022. Courtesy of Bloomsbury Children’s Books.
Finally, on a rainy day, April took her jar of seeds outside. Then she watched over them through fall and winter to see what happened. When spring came, the seeds sent up little green shoots. The plants grew and grew until glorious yellow flowers faced the sun, attracting butterflies and ladybugs. The petals turned fluffy and finally released more and more seeds into the world. Soon, the colors of spring were everywhere “and happiness bloomed.” Even the gardener and the bus driver embraced these little flowers, and “everyone made wishes for more tiny wonders to grow.”
A beautifully illustrated double-page spread follows the story and reveals the meanings of thirty-two types of flowers.
Copyright Sally Soweol Han, 2022. Courtesy of Bloomsbury Children’s Books.
Sally Soweol Han’s sweet and gentle Tiny Wonders perfectly encapsulates not only young children’s capacity for finding joy in the simple aspects of life but also their ability to truly affect change through their boundless optimism and concrete actions. April’s close relationship with her grandma acts as a precious counterpoint to the daily bustle and distractions that have drained vitality from the town.
Soweol Han’s soft, yet vibrant gouache, color pencil, and pastel illustrations are lovely accompaniments to her story. As the somber grays and dull blues of April’s crowded, busy town give way to the balloon-like bouquet of gorgeous flowers floating from Grandma’s hand, April’s idea to bring the color and wish-fulfillment of dandelions back to her community takes root and thrives. In the final spread, gigantic flowers in a riot of colors lift up April and her grandma as well as the gardener, bus driver, and shopkeeper as they tend to the garden and the creatures it attracts.
An endearing read that’s sure to inspire readers to act on their wishes, Tiny Wonders makes a wonderful addition to spring and summer reading and is highly recommended for home bookshelves as well as for school and public libraries.
Ages 4 – 8
Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2024 | ISBN 978-1547614561
About the Author
Sally Soweol Han is an award-winning Korean Australian artist who is passionate about creating stories and illustrating heart-warming picture books for all ages. She is fascinated with traditional techniques and most of her illustrations are hand-drawn and -painted. Sally is devoted to illustrating whimsical work for picture books, in the hope of delivering warmth and joy to all readers. This is her authorial debut. Visit Sally Soweol Han at sallyhanillustration.com.
National Dandelion Day Activity
With this quick and easy craft you can bring a pretty bouquet of flowers into your home with this easy and quick craft! It makes a great gift for friends too!
Supplies
- Colorful plastic spoons
- Heavy stock paper or construction paper in various colors, including green for leaves
- Multi-surface glue or hot glue gun
Directions
- Cut petals from the heavy stock paper or construction paper
- Glue the petals to the bowl of the spoon
- Cut leaves from the green paper (optional)
- Glue leaves to the handle of the spoon (optional)
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