The Boy Who Grew Flowers

Jen Wojtowicz (author) 

Steve Adams (illustrations)

ISBN: 1841484970

Genres: allegory, picture book

Issues: friendship, giftedness, identity, isolation, self-esteem, tolerance

Rink Bowagen comes from an unusual family, one that is a ‘hotbed of strange and exotic talents'. His brothers and cousins, for example, are shape-shifters. Rink's talent is even rarer, however.

After every full moon he sprouts flowers all over his bodies - beautiful blooms that his mother lovingly cuts before Rink goes to school. Although he enjoys school - ‘at least the thinking and reading part' - the other children stay away from Rink because of the strange rumours about him and his family. His teacher sits him at the back of the room because he is quiet and shy, quiet unlike the other students. A new student, Angelina, who has one leg shorter than the other, inspires Rink to new depths of creativity and inventiveness. The friendship that follows is one that brings joy to both their lives for many years to come.

This delightful fable is about the gift of loving kindness and the need to accept and value people for who, rather than what they are. Enriched by vibrant illustrations done in acrylics on board it challenges the reader to look at those around them with new eyes. The Bowagens are a family where unusual abilities or personalities are accepted and encouraged. Angelina's questions and actions force the rest of the students to examine their reasons for isolating Rink, especially as they accept her very readily, despite her handicap.

Highly recommended.

Barefoot Books (www.barefootbooks.com) specialises in books that ‘focus on themes that encourage independence of spirit, enthusiasm for learning, and acceptance of other traditions'.