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How to speak flower : a kid's guide to buds, blooms, and blossoms
2023
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Kirkus Review
What do flowers mean? 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. "Fast facts" accompany each example. A few blooms convey negative messages, and Williams also discusses poisonous flowers. Craft projects using flowers include making floral bath bombs and flower crowns and nurturing flowering houseplants. The book briefly mentions the quite different significance of various flowers around the globe. Generally, though, it's fairly lightweight--Shakespeare's use of flower language is not mentioned, nor is the role of the peony or orchid in China or the chrysanthemum or sakura in Japan. A chart offers simplified keys to symbolism that are further developed later, and there's a page of "color meanings," e.g., that orange can signify "fascination" or "pride." Labels on a detailed flower cross section help us understand the botanical terms; also included is a lovely diagram of the flower life cycle and info on the pollinator crisis. Interspersed quizzes (closer to astrology than science) help readers identify their "soul flower" or "flower power." An abundance of exclamation points throughout underscores the writer's ardent belief that flowers are linked to emotions and can help us connect with others. Diverse people are depicted in the illustrations. Fluffy floral fun. (list of historical flower meanings) (Nonfiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Summary
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!

Table of Contents
Welcome!1
A Mini-History of Speaking Flower2
Floriography: A Way to Communicate by Using Flowers2
Symbolism in Floriography6
Color Meanings in Floriography7
Flower Paris: Definitions9
Plant Buzzwords12
The Flower Life Cycle15
Pollination 10119
The Pollinator Crisis22
Botany versus Horticulture24
Quiz: What's Your Soul Flower?26
Flower Language: Love29
Flower Language: Friendship36
Flower Language: Gratitude43
Flower Language: Celebration50
Flower Language: Healing56
Flowers with Negative Meanings63
Danger: Flowers That Harm68
Quiz: What's Your Flower Power?76
DIY Flowers78
How to Dry Flowers at Home79
Making Your Own Floral Bath Bombs81
Flower Pressing 10183
How to Make Homemade Potpourri85
Create a Flower Crown87
How Do Your Flowers Grow?89
Growing Your Own Cutting Garden89
Arranging Cut Flowers94
Bouquet Recipes96
Flowering Houseplants97
Flowers That Make Their Mark: Using Flowers to Dye Fabric100
Plants/Flowers and the Colors They Make103
Why Connect with Flowers?104
Historical Meanings of Flowers107
Quiz: Test Your Knowledge111
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