By Lanisha Butterfield and Hoang Giang
Paperback, £7.99
A spirit-lifting picture book for young children, a small boy turns a tower block into a Flower Block by planting a sunflower seed.
Jeremiah meets all the neighbours in his block of flats when his flowering plant creates a friendly wilderness. It’s a book about community, and about being brave. Jeremiah and his brother need to be brave when asking a gruff neighbour for help, but soon find out that things don’t always turn out how you expect.
The illustrations are a treat, worth revisiting again and again. The details of all the people enjoying their homes being transformed by plants are joyful. Flower Block is also a good story about how small things can make a big difference. Nicely dealt with is the strong presence of Jeremiah’s dad, who is part of life for the family even though he is gone.
A perfect book for reading together.
Review by Bethan