ALISON'S ZINNIA

by Anita Lobel ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 17, 1990

The exuberance of eye-filling floral arrangements and the earnestness of a bevy of small girls combine to make this alphabet book a shining entry in this fall season's flower show. ""Dawn dug a Daffodil for Emily. . .Florence found a Forget-me-not for Gloria. Gloria grew a Gaillardia for Heather. Heather hosed a Hyacinth for Irene."" If readers can pronounce ""gaillardia' (why not the more: familiar geranium?) and if they aren't troubled by the fact that Heather is both a child and a flower, they'll enjoy working through the 26 transactions that onomatopoeically seed this book. Each page is a bright and realistic, riotous but beautifully composed display of blooms, and while the pace is pell-mell, the direction is thorough and thoughtful to the last. Lobel provides a note on her inspiration, perhaps of most interest to readers who also recognize a spirited case of name-dropping (Susan, Ursula, Zena. . .) when they see it.

Pub Date: Oct. 17, 1990

ISBN: 0688147372

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Greenwillow

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1990

Categories: CHILDREN'S