Have you ever felt as though you didn't quite belong? Or that
maybe your gifts are different from or less than everyone else's?
So does Roma. She's just a
small plant in a big flower garden. She often goes overlooked despite her
desire to be seen and appreciated. She desperately wants Ashley, the girl who
tends the garden, to notice her, but her flowers aren’t as bright and colorful
as Radiant Rose’s and she doesn’t smell as sweet as Lovely Lavender.
One day, Roma notices a lump. Then two and then three!
The other flowers are worried that her rash and bumps are
contagious. Poor Roma knows that now she’ll never be picked by Ashley – she just
doesn’t quite fit in.
This beautiful story was written by my aunt, who is every bit as compassionate
and gentle as you’d expect. She spent years writing this charming book about
how hard it is to be yourself. She wants you to know that not everyone’s gifts
are the same and that it’s okay to be different!
When my aunt sent me the manuscript, I spent a year agonizing
about style was right for such a thoughtful and sweet story. Once I started though,
the pages practically drew themselves. The book is digitally illustrated in a
collage style inspired a bit by books by Eric Carle. Someone recently mentioned
Lois Ehlert and I was enormously flattered to when I looked her up. She’s
wonderful and illustrated, among many other amazing books, Chica Chica Boom
Boom. If you haven’t read it, do it immediately. For a while, I had the whole
thing memorized since it was my little brother’s favorite book as a child.
I encourage anyone who’s ever felt out of place or unappreciated
to read this book. It’s a book about patience, growth, and acceptance. Not just
by others, but by ourselves.
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