The Boy Who Grew Flowers
Order Your Copy Here!
The Boy Who Grew Flowers: Rink is a very unusual boy who grows beautiful flowers all over his body whenever the moon is full. Rink and his family are treated as outcasts even though no one knows his strange botanical secret. But one day a new girl arrives at school, and Rink discovers she has some unique qualities of her own. Illustrator Steve Adams’ rich, textured artwork gives this tale of individuality bottomless depth and appeal. ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year Award Finalist. Ages 4 to 10 years. Written By: Jen Wojtowicz Illustrated By: Steve Adams Publisher: Barefoot Books
A Writer's Unexpected Muse: Her Brother
By Jennifer E. O'Brien The Albany Times Union, Thursday May 4, 2006
Jen Wojtowicz never set out to write a book about autism. But a close friend who read the Vischer Ferry author's children's book, "The Boy Who Grew Flowers" (Barefoot Books; $16.99; 32 pages), said the main character's ability to grow flowers out of his body was a beautiful metaphor for the developmental disability that Wojtowicz's older brother, Wally, has.
He might be different, but she knew he had a goodness inside, even if other people might not take the time to recognize it. And while her brother's disability influenced many parts of her life, she didn't know how deeply it touched her before the book.
"I think those kinds of things get worked out inside of us without us even knowing," says Wojtowicz.
Wojtowicz's book, illustrated by Steve Adams, that sensitively tells the story of Rink Bowagon, a young boy and misfit, who along with his unusual family (Uncle Dud tames rattlesnakes) lives atop Lonesome Mountain.
Ignored by the other students and his teacher, Rink lives a rather isolated existence. When a new student, Angelina Quiz from Tuscaloosa, moves to town, Rink decides that he likes "her straight away." It is through Angelina's presence and the announcement of an upcoming school dance that Rink is brave enough to make a new friend and let his kindness shine.
In 2008 The Boy Who Grew Flowers was adapted into a magical play by Kazzum:
"The Boy Who Grew Flowers, written by Jen Wojtowicz, has been adapted by Kazzum into a magical play that encourages children to appreciate difference and begin to understand disability. Directed by Daryl Beeton, who is himself disabled, this is a lushly visual display of object theatre and live music combined with the use of humour and metaphor. Celebrating the beauty of our uniqueness this story gives reassurance to anyone who’s ever felt out of place." - Edge Hill University 2008. The educational benefits of the play were "To raise the issues of difference, disability and exclusion with... a young audience." Right on!
In May of 2011 the talented students and teachers of Abraham Lincoln Elementary in Madison, Wisconsin featured The Boy Who Grew Flowers in their wonderful video about the magic of reading called Carried Away.
As well as being distributed in England and the U.S. The Boy Who Grew Flowers has been published in Korean, Catalan, Spanish, Greek, Brazilian Portugese, French and French Canadian. I was contacted by some school teachers from Brazil who developed the book into a play for their classroom, as a part of their curriculum.
The Boy Who Grew Flowers was featured as a future classic on Oprah.com's 2014 list of 2 Unforgettable Books Every Child Should Read, Plus 5 Future Classics.
The WITS website has a very nice, free classroom lesson based around The Boy Who Grew Flowers. "The WITS Programs bring together schools, families and communities to create responsive environments that help elementary school children deal with bullying and peer victimization. The links on this page provide everything you need to get started with the WITS Programs." Nice!
In 2019 The Treehouse Shakers adapted The Boy who Grew Flowers into a beautiful play, featuring dance and puppets! I was fortunate to see the production at The Egg in Albany NY and I was delighted not only by the talent of the actors and dancers but by the fresh interpretation of the story. Try to see this if you can!
And finally- my favorite comment ever: "My eight year old son who has Tourette's, takes ballet lessons and is a vegetarian (in beef farming country) often feels at odds with his peers. He selected this book for his school book report because it "makes him feel mushy" and he likes how the boy "finds someone who loves him." Charlie Stockalis 2006, Amazon review
I always wonder how that little boy is doing now?