This is a pleasant and thought-provoking story about patience. Miyuki is a little girl who is excited about the first day of spring, but disappointed that one of her flowers has not yet bloomed. She spends her whole day rushing around and fretting about getting just the right kind of water for her flower, even though her grandfather is trying to teach her that it is sometimes more valuable to sit and wait for things. This is a book that will probably strike both children and adults with its simple lesson.

Thanks to NetGalley and Princeton Architectural Press for this digital review copy. ( )

The illustrations were glorious and incredibly creative. They’re beautiful and had me immersed in the pages.

The story, with a lesson about patience is good, but I didn’t really like the resolution. I didn’t think that the flower should have to apologize, APOLOGIZE!, at the end for blooming a day late. I still really liked it despite my criticism.

This is a great book for reading aloud one to one or in groups, especially for children prone to feeling impatient, as a lesson about delayed gratification, and for children who appreciate the natural world/nature. It's also a great mindfulness book about being present in the moment.

4-1/2 stars ( )

‘’Blue earth, orange moon, Spring was all dressed up and ready for her first day of the year. Miyuki was ready, too. She was already up and running through the garden.’’

Little Miyuki is a lively child who has a strained relationship with patience. Children are anything but patient as we all know. Spring is coming and our little heroine is eager to see the flowers in the garden bloom, the trees awaken. But the rain is unwilling to provide its gift and Miyuki starts wandering in the forest, walking by the lakes and the rivers, talking to the wells and the clouds, trying to find water to bring the flower to life. Ηer endeavour isn’t always successful and her impatience grows. And then, her grandfather intervenes to help her understand that Nature doesn’t work in the way we expect. Every flower, every tree, every living being is nurtured as it should. We only have to wait and witness the miracle of the seasons.

A beautiful book for young children that demonstrates the wisdom of Nature, the deep affinity between a child and the environment, the significance of the circle of life through the Japanese tradition. The illustrations in red, blue, white and green are truly eye-catching and Miyuki is one of the liveliest and most relatable characters.

‘’Be patient, my little girl. Neither flowers nor anyone in the world deserves to be watered by years.’’

Many thanks to Princeton Architectural Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/ ( )

Es el primer día de primavera y Miyuki quiere ver cómo florece el jardín de su abuelo. Pero una de las flores tarda demasiado en abrirse, según Miyuki... Entonces decide salir a buscar el agua más pura para ayudarla a florecer. Miyuki pasa el día corriendo impaciente, en una búsqueda desesperada, y se pierde el espectáculo de la primavera...