BLOOM: A DANDELION'S WISH

A dandelion learns the value of being himself in Mofford’s picture book.

Bloom, a yellow dandelion, doesn’t feel special; he’s not as beautiful as a rose or a tulip. He says as much to his butterfly friend Addy, who reassures him that everyone is special. That night, unbelieving, he dresses in red rose petals, but now Addy can’t find her friend. When Bloom sheds his red petals and cries, Addy encourages him to be proud of who he is and not compare himself to others. Bloom finally believes that “each of us grows differently, and that’s okay!” Rhyming prose is hard to get right—it’s often awkward, and this text falls victim to several clunkers (“Bloom felt so blue that he shed his red hue, / Dropping his petals to be the friend Addy knew”). Hoffmann-Kaeufer’s illustrations are a mixture of sharp lines and soft edges; they showcase an idyllic garden setting, lush with flowers in bloom, birds in flight, rolling hills, and sunbeams streaking across the sky. Youngsters will be tempted to linger over the pages, spotting details and discussing a recurring, inquisitive owl’s questions. With roots for legs, leaves for arms, and a smiling face in the center of his petals, Bloom is an endearing fellow. Following the narrative are pages detailing the life cycle of a dandelion and a butterfly, a message from the author, and a glossary.

An unexceptional but sweet story, told in simple, reassuring terms.