4 Stars

One Liner: Beautiful and informative 

Ever wondered what stories the flowers have to share with us? This book has the answer. Floral Folklore is a collection of folktales about forty beautiful flowers in nature. The book is divided into four sections based on the major seasons –spring, summer, fall, and winter. 

However, the book is not limited to stories. It also provides us practical tips to create mindful practices and rituals using the flowers. It helps align ourselves with the flowers, seasons, and nature. The foreword by Anna Porter and the introduction by the author are compact and set the tone about what to expect from the contents. 

Each story has the flower’s name as the title, with the scientific name as the subtitle. We get a three-line description, the meaning of the flower, and the origin of the tale listed on the side. Then, we proceed to the story with a lovely illustration on the side. The color scheme is softer and a touch muted, which suits the book’s language. Though I prefer vibrant colors, I loved many illustrations in this one. 

At the end of each story, there’s a short section about how to create a ritual to connect with and use the flower for spiritual work, manifestations, etc. The story is written in simple language and is easy to read. However, it is not something everyone will like. The tone is blandish and matter-of-fact. 

The collection contains floral folktales from different countries, like Greece, Persia, Nepal, Israel, Scotland, China, Scandinavia, etc. Not surprisingly, quite a few stories are from Greek mythology (I know a couple of them), and some from Germany and all of Europe. 

There’s a story from India (Hinduism), though not for the flower I expected. I’m familiar with the base story, though not its association with the flower (and a change in a part of the tale, which is bound to happen with so many retellings floating around). Either way, this flower now has a greater significance to me! 

The book ends with a short summary and a few references for more information. There’s a short note of caution about allergies at the end, which I think should be at the beginning. 

To summarize, Floral Folklore is a worthy read that should be consumed in smaller installments to enjoy each tale to the fullest. Grab this one even if you are not into rituals and practices. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Quarto Publishing (Leaping Hare Press), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #FloralFolklore 

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PSA: This book is not for kids as I assumed earlier. It’s general nonfiction about plants and nature suitable for YA and adults who like this kind of thing.