The Boy Who Grew Flowers
Written by Jen Wojtowicz
and Illustrated by Steve Adams
Book of the Year Award Finalist 2005, ForeWord Magazine
From Booklist
Gr. 1-3. Rink Bowagon is not like other boys. Not only does he live on Lonesome Mountain, a "hotbed of strange and exotic talents," but he is shy, quiet, and sprouts flowers from his body during each full moon. Shunned at school, Rink keeps to himself--until a kind, honest girl named Angelina Quiz with a short right leg joins his class. Rink instantly likes her and decides to ask her to the school dance, painstakingly crafting her a pair of snakeskin party shoes with one extra-thick right sole to balance her out. When Rink shows up at Angelina's door with green shoes and pink roses in hand (they had previously sprouted from his head), her heart flips, and the rest is history. This quirky, beautifully told story of individuality, love, and kindness (and the benefits of corrective shoes!) is illustrated with soft, luminous acrylics on visibly textured board. Artful compositions, intriguingly varied perspectives, and a gorgeous palette make these whimsical, expressive paintings suitable for framing. An odd, lovely offering.
Karin Snelson Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Recent praise
"This is a wonderful story that teaches about accepting differences - and even celebrating them."
- Library Media Connection
"Children who struggle to fit in at school will find a hero in the star of this debut children's book. Adams's incandescent illustrations, painted on textured boards in deep blues and green integrate flowers and full moons scattered across the pages, and the characters' faces look almost beatific...it will remind [young readers] of the power of kindness."
- Publishers Weekly
"[The] story is one that celebrates individuality and self-acceptance. The illustrations are done in acrylics on board and the way the texture of the wood shows through gives the lovely paintings a folksy quality. The luminous scenes and soulful relationship between Rink and Angelina make this story a joy to read."
- School LIbrary Journal
"Acrylic paintings are the perfect accompaniments to the author's debut story of courage and friendship. A shy boy named Rink, who grows flowers from his body during the full moon, befriends the new girl, Angelina, who has one leg shorter than the other. He makes her special shoes that change her life. With his use of soft colors and subtle details, Adam's ethereal paintings pull the reader into the page."
- ForeWord Magazine
Pages from The Boy Who Grew Flowers (click below to view)
