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The
Flower Ball
by Sigrid Laube, illustrated by
Silke Leffler
Publishers Weekly -
April, 2006
"Following a familiar story line, this fable by an Austrian duo
features some outcasts who withstand scorn from a haughtier,
higher-status group, but end by thawing their hearts. In this case,
the outcasts are vegetables, and the snooty in-group are flowers. "Raw
vegetables--how dreadfully crude!" a Carnation exclaims, when
Cauliflower and Carrot show up at the dance. "They're nothing but
tedious soup-wallowers!" cries Marigold in disgust. Secure in the
knowledge that they have given no offense, the vegetable couple burn
up the dance floor and charm the flowers out of their hauteur ("They
all learned that they could get along splendidly"). Leffler's
gouaches, composed of equal parts fairy wood, royal castle and
Bloomingdale's best, provide the volume's chief delight. He rejects a
cartoon approach, injecting a human quality into the plants. With a
sensual palette of wedding cake colors, Leffler transforms pistils and
stamens into delicate headgear, and petals into floor length ballgowns.
Cauliflower sports and 18th-century pair of breeches and a lace collar
to slim his girth, while the delicate Carrot looks divine in a sheath
dress and a tiara of gently waving greens. Collage touches (a photo of
a butterfly bag dangling from the arm of a pansy lady, the lettering
from a piece of sheet music) add atmosphere without drawing undue
attention. The result is a moral tale whose decor is just as
impeccable as its lesson.
"
School Library Journal -
July, 2006
"Cauliflower announces his intention of attending the Flower Ball.
Some of the vegetables tell him that he should "stick with [his] own
kind" and flowers are only "stuck-up vase stuffers," but Carrot agrees
to go with him. The flowers are at first scandalized that the veggies
should crash their party but they are such good dancers and charming
guests that a splendid time is had by all. Wordplay and alliteration
abound, and the imaginative text matches the whimsical watercolor
illustrations. Leffler's anthropomorphized flowers and vegetables have
a great deal of personality and are reminiscent of David Ellwand's
flower folks in Christine Tagg's Cinderlily (Candlewick, 2003).
They clearly communicate the drama of mixing for the first time with
those who are different. Children will be charmed and encouraged by
this unusual flight of floral fancy."-Donna
Cardon, Provo City Library, UT
Scholastic Parent & Child,
April 2006
"Whimsical and beautifully drawn, this is a tale of Cauliflower and
Carrot, two vegetables who want to attend a "flower-only" ball.
Marigold and Rose are scandalized when the vegetables show up, but
they quickly come to enjoy the unique fun the veggies bring, despite
differences."
National Center for
the study of Children’s literature,
June 2006
"A
sophisticated version of the theme of learning tolerance,
The Flower Ball brings together vegetable wannabees
with flower snobs when the Cauliflower and the Carrot crash the
festivities hosted by the highly-prejudiced blooms. However, the
vegetables prove to be sterling dancers and the flowers, dazzled
by their grace, admire and befriend them. At the story's end,
with a mention by Carrot of grandchildren, it seems Carrot has
captured not only the flowers but also the Cauliflower. The
story itself is deftly told, with sly humor in text and
illustration. The watercolor imaginations of vegetable and
flower characters are a studio of varieties. Leffler paints all
kinds of personified vegetables and blossoms with whimsical
skill and a gift for design."
OC Family magazine,
April 2006
"When
Cauliflower and Carrot announce that they are going to attend the
Flower Ball, the other vegetables warn them that they should stick to
their own kind. The fragrant but snobby flowers are horrified at the
notion, with Marigold declaring that they’re “nothing but tedious
soup-wallowers.” But Carrot and Cauliflower don’t let the nay-sayers
spoil their fun. In fact, they are so charming and dance so well, the
flowers can’t help but be impressed. This is a charming story that
introduces notions of acceptance to young children. The illustrations,
a combination of watercolor and collage, are whimsical and delightful."
Inland Empire Family ,
April 2006
"When
Cauliflower and Carrot announce that they are going to attend the
Flower Ball, the other vegetables warn them that they should stick to
their own kind. The fragrant but snobby flowers are horrified at the
notion, with Marigold declaring that they’re “nothing but tedious
soup-wallowers.” But Carrot and Cauliflower don’t let the nay-sayers
spoil their fun. In fact, they are so charming and dance so well, the
flowers can’t help but be impressed. This is a charming story that
introduces notions of acceptance to young children. The illustrations,
a combination of watercolor and collage, are whimsical and delightful."
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