The language of flowers

Helping her father at his flower shop has taught young Juhi a great deal about iris, jasmine, hibiscus, and frangipani and their meanings. Juhi knows that flowers convey certain emotions--the languages of birthdays, new babies, and love--but she has not yet learned the language of grief. The girl has gotten to know her neighbors as they order various flowers to commemorate various occasions. The appealing pictures, done in gouache, show colorful blooms along with patrons celebrating their many milestones. Mr. Potter, her favorite, is an elderly man who stops in the shop weekly to select his vibrant bouquets. When, one day, his wife arrives in place of her husband, Juhi learns the elderly man is ill and unable to come himself. When neither of them shows up for several weeks, Juhi and her father realize something is wrong, which is soon confirmed by Mrs. Potter. It is then that Juhi learns about grief and the flowers that express that emotion.

When confronted with grief, a South Asian girl uses flowers to express a feeling that defies words. Juhi's Appa has taught her "the language of flowers." She knows that stargazer lilies, irises, and jasmine all represent different types of love. Thanks to her knowledge of flowers, Juhi is also aware of the exciting events happening in her neighborhood, from the new baby whose birth requires a cheerful daffodil to the 14th wedding anniversary that calls for dahlias to the birthday celebration that's marked with peonies. Of all the clients who visit her family flower shop, though, Juhi especially appreciates Mr. Potter, whose fascinating history and zest for life are reflected in his preference for bright bouquets. When Mr. Potter gets sick, Juhi sends him special flowers for his hospital room. But when he dies, Juhi feels silenced by grief--until she realizes that the traditional funeral bouquet her father assembles isn't the way she wants to remember Mr. Potter's life. Smith's spare but graceful prose is brought to life by Asis' vibrant artwork. Flowers and people alike pop against white backdrops; visible brushstrokes imbue the tale with intimacy. Juhi's ability to communicate complex emotions in nonverbal ways is a joy to behold. It's especially refreshing to read a story about a South Asian girl whose ethnic identity informs but doesn't determine her story. Mr. Potter presents white; Juhi's community is diverse. A touching tale of love, community, and expression. (Picture book. 3-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.