Oscar's tower of flowers

In her first solo picture book, Tobia (illustrator of the beloved Anna Hibiscus books) crafts an affecting and wordless tale of separation, growth, neighborliness, and love. Viewers are introduced to young Oscar, with small suitcase in tow, as he's dropped off by a loved one (perhaps his mother) at the home of a kindly woman (maybe another family member). Thoughtfully paced mixed-media panel illustrations emphasize Oscar's initial sadness and the comfort he subsequently receives from the woman as he settles in. His interest in flowers leads the pair to a garden shop, where they buy seeds and potting materials that Oscar transports back to the apartment on his red tricycle. As Oscar tends the growing plants, some time passes, shown in the illustrations via the changing of weather, light, and the construction of a new building visible through an apartment window. The blooming flowers eventually overcrowd the apartment until sweet, thoughtful Oscar decides to share some with the neighbors, bringing joy and new friendships. And soon after, Oscar gets a happy ending with the return of his caretaker. Tobia's visual narrative is full of lovely details: the stuffed monkey Oscar takes everywhere, an attentive gray cat, even the endpapers depicting the apartment tower before and after Oscar's colorful improvements. Share this warmhearted story with any preschooler experiencing separation from a loved one. Cynthia K. Ritter September/October 2021 p.85(c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A very young boy finds joy in a difficult situation. When Oscar's mom brings him to live with his grandmother for a while, he is frightened and lonely. After his painful, emotional goodbye to his mom, Nana hugs him and reassures him. That first tearful night is so very difficult, despite the companionship of his toy monkey, the photo of mom and him next to him on the pillow, and a comforting thumb to suck. The next morning there's a lovely breakfast, a jigsaw puzzle, and drawing with Nana and the cat. When Oscar carefully helps to water a drooping plant, Nana takes notice and brings him to a special store to purchase seeds, soil, containers, and tools. With lots of patience and Oscar's careful tending, Nana's apartment and terrace fill up with greenery, vines, and flowers. So many, in fact, that they gift all the neighbors with the lovely plants, making lots of new friends. The story is told entirely without words in a series of fully detailed, beautifully crafted, colorful vignettes of varying sizes. In them readers see and understand mom's, Nana's, and, of course, Oscar's emotions in their faces and body language. Oscar and his family present White, with beige skin tones; Nana is refreshingly youthful looking. There are lovely surprises in the views of the apartments and their very diverse occupants before and after Oscar's triumph. A lovely, joyful reunion with mom is comforting for young readers cuddled with their grown-ups. Warm and wonderful. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.