The Dandelion's Tale

December 9, 2013
The character who dies in newcomer Sheehan’s story is a lowly dandelion, but doesn’t make her demise any easier to take. The dandelion, once golden, has just 10 white hairs left, and her last wish is to be remembered. A friendly sparrow spends hours scratching down her stories in the dirt: “She spoke of milkweed and hummingbirds; of dancing butterflies and picnicking families; of busy ants and busier bees.” A storm ends the dandelion’s life and washes away the stories, but Sparrow remembers them. When the bird discovers a new patch of 10 dandelions, he can tell them about their mother. Dunlavey, also making his debut, contributes softly brushed illustrations in watercolor, crayon, pencil, and other media that mix two equally handsome visual vocabularies. The world of Sparrow and the dandelion appears in objective greens and browns, while the dandelion’s past life is rendered in sun-bleached golds, limes, and pinks, faded brilliance just right for cherished memories. The focus on death and commemoration makes this the kind of fable that may find the warmest reception among adults. Ages 3–7. Author’s agent: Louise Fury, the Bent Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Elena Giovinazzo, Pippin Properties.

Starred review from February 15, 2014
A sparrow fulfills a dandelion's last wish in this luminous tale about the power of storytelling to keep a loved one's memory alive. One summer day, Sparrow hears a dandelion crying. The flower is mourning her impending demise, worried no one will remember her. Wanting to help, Sparrow offers to write the flower's story on the ground. For hours, the dandelion shares things she's loved: the smell of the meadow, the laughter of children. Upon completion, the dandelion is happy, and Sparrow promises to come back--but a storm keeps him away. When he returns, the flower and her story are no more. Sparrow weeps; promising not to forget her, he sings. In this incandescent moment, other birds join in the dandelion's song. Weeks later, Sparrow discovers a patch of baby dandelions growing under the same tree. He shares with them their mother's story, confident she will not be forgotten. Lyrical illustrations done in ink, watercolor, pencil and crayon softly glow with a reassuring warmth. Done in a palette of earth tones, they skillfully convey the characters' points of view: lush, whimsical close-ups for the dandelion; expansive, bright swaths of landscape for Sparrow. Dunlavey's sophisticated compositions also give context to the dandelion's life cycle; in his dazzling field of gold flowers, readers realize the dandelion's legacy and the strength of her existence. Radiant. (Picture book. 3-7)

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March 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 2-Flying above a green meadow, Sparrow spots a lone dandelion crying in the tall grass. It seems that Dandelion hasn't long to live and wishes only to be remembered before she is gone. Once strong and yellow, she is now only white fuzz and seed pods. Together, Sparrow and Dandelion hatch a plan to write her story in the dirt so that all who pass by can read about her life. Sparrow gladly writes about her life and everything she loved while growing in the meadow. They make plans to continue her story the next day, but a terrible thunderstorm prevents Dandelion from being able to share her memories with Sparrow. A sad Sparrow vows to tell her story to all who will listen, but weeks, he later finds a surprise in the meadow that assures him that his friend will be remembered for a long time. This is an agreeable choice for adults to gently introduce children to the cycle of life. Warm, hazy watercolors and colored pencil render a beautiful meadow and convey the range of emotions. The dialogue between Sparrow and Dandelion is a tad too formal to engage younger readers and will most likely not inspire multiple readings. The book is lovely in message but might just be more purposeful than popular.-Carol Connor, Cincinnati Public Schools, OH

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2014
Preschool-G Dandelion's glory days are coming to an end. Her bright yellow flower has evolved into just 10 seedpods, and she is concerned no one will remember she ever existed once the seedlings blow away. When Sparrow learns about her fears, the bird suggests writing down Dandelion's memories. The two happily collaborate: Dandelion reminisces about squirrels and meadows, and Sparrow pecks the memory in the dirt. The morning after a storm, Sparrow discovers Dandelion didn't survive and neither did her story. But all is not lost. He can tell her story and finds the perfect audience: new little dandelions that started as 10 seedlings. The charming illustrations are in blues, browns, and greens when the bird and plant are conversing, and tinged in golden light when memories are related. The ink, watercolor, colored pencil, crayon, and digital media pictures have an old-fashioned feel and showcase the moving story of keeping memory alive. Although sophisticated in concept, this feels right for the age group and would be beneficial in helping children cope with losing a loved one.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)