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The Giving Flower: The Story of the Poinsettia (Hardcover)
by Alda P. Dobbs
The deeply religious use of Poinsettia flowers did not start with Christianity. The red flower has been adopted by many cultures for religious purposes. This book explores these historical uses and how it affects the current use and propagation of the plants.

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This lovely book shows the long history of the Poinsettia and the human changes in which it represented changes. I enjoyed it very much.
The illustrations by Trisha B. Waters are simple, perfect in bright colors, and clear.
Well suited for reading WITH someone any age including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school, waiting room, or your local public library.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from SOURCEBOOKS Kids | Sourcebooks Jabberwocky via NetGalley. Pub Date Sep 02, 2025 ***** #review #goodreads
#TheGivingFlower by Alda P. Dobbs @aldapdobbs illustrated by Emily Mendoza @em_mendoza_ @sourcebookskids #NetGalley #storytelling #storygraph @librarythingofficial #legends #nahuas #childrensbookillustration #kidlit #culturalexploration @childrensbookcouncil #botany #bookbub #BooksForKids #ChildrensBooks #oraltraditions #multicultural #historicalperspective #cuetlaxochitl #family #love #tradition #mexicanheritage #newpicturebook #bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk @indiebookstoresca #medicinal #flordenochebuena #poinsettia

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Who knew someone needed the story of the poinsettia but here it is in picture book format explaining the origins and cultivation of this flower over time from the places in Mexico to the front door of the White House now not only in the red that made it famous but white and pink too.

The deep colors immerse you and the repetition of the discovery and multiple stories keeps a reader turning the pages-- it won't surprise you that there are several other names for it yet somehow the white guy discovery name stuck. I didn't realize the religious connection to it being used in holiday decorations and they spent a few pages focused on how sets of news and talk shows use them, putting them in the limelight as a holiday flower too. Super fascinating with loads of information.

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I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

I loved this picture book and all I learned from it about the poinsettia flower. There is so much history and so many stories associated with this flower I learned a lot more then I ever have before.

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While this book gives the reader a good history of the poinsettia flower, I don’t know that it would appeal to children. The writing is a little bit dull, and I think younger children would lose interest. The illustrations however, are beautiful and captivating!
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Thanks to Sourcebooks Jabberwocky and Netgalley for the digital arc.
This has the perfect theme for the holidays, the illustrations pop with color, and the scientific informattion was interesting . Unfortunately the historical aspects of the poinsettia noted briefly in the text seemed out of place and did not make sense until I read the back matter, which was wonderful.

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Thank you, NetGalley, for an e-ARC of The Giving Flower by Alda P. Dobbs.
The Giving Flower is a picture book that teaches the history of the poinsettia plant. With vibrant illustrations and text in verse, this book engages readers while providing information. This is a book that will be great for teachers and for library programs as well as children looking to learn something new.

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A gorgeously drawn book highlighting the history of the poinsettia starting with its roots in ancient Aztec and Mexican culture. It weaves a story of intercultural connection, language, Mexican and American culture, botany, religion, and history to form an interesting and captivating story. By creating a connection with a popular Christmas plant and ingeniously incorporating historical facts such as heavier topics like colonialism, historical global figures, and Mexican and U.S. history, this book provides a window to experiences that can be relatable and interesting to children. The images of the poinsettias are memorable and can pique further interest and study into various topics like botany, history, cultural information.

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This beautifully illustrated book told the tale of the poinsettia and how it came to be known as the Christmas flower. This would be a great book to add to my holiday basket.

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Such a sweet book that teaches us information on the Poinsettia. The illustrations really hook you into the story. When you need a Christmas book that is less about Santa and more about different ways of giving, this book is amazing.

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This picture book is so gorgeous and well-written! I loved it, and it's a great Christmas/holiday non-fiction. I loved the repetition of "wait and see," and how it traces Mexican and American history through the history of the poinsettia. Really well done, and I think this would serve a wide variety of library collections.

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Wonderfully done history of the poinsettia flower and the various cultural traditions associated with it. The illustrations were nice.

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This is such a beautifully illustrated picture book that tells the story of the poinsettia flower and its significance in Mexican culture. I never knew anything about its history and happy to have learned it from such a magical book. The book not only explores the history of the poinsettia but also intertwines it with holiday traditions, making it a great seasonal read as well. The illustrations are colorful and lively and I felt like they complemented the text beautifully.

This book is a great way to introduce kids to cultural stories and the beauty of nature. It would be great for any setting like a home library, classrooms, etc. I think it would also make a wonderful gift as well.

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A fun look at the history and myths surrounding the flower that has become synonymous with Christmas. I learned a lot in this picture book that would make an interesting read aloud.

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The poinsettia flower is generally associated with the winter holidays, especially as it brings a bright, rich hue to an otherwise colorless landscape. Interestingly, the poinsettia flower is known by many names, and it has a rich history spanning back hundreds of years. From early Mexican cultures, to the time of European settlers, to the present day, the poinsettia has become a visual landmark of the winter holidays in cultures around the world. This accessible narrative nonfiction picture book is engaging for a wide range of ages. While the text itself is relatively brief and utilizes a predictable structure, the depth of information included within the narrative is profound, offering young readers and their caregivers a rich amount of detail through very few words. At the end of the book, a succinct historical narrative is included, which provides older readers with a more detailed description of the timeline described within the book itself. Additionally, a timeline anchors some of the pivotal moments in the poinsettia’s existence for readers who appreciate a visual interpretation of history. Throughout the book, illustrations depict the scenes described by the text using rich, saturated colors, transporting readers back to specific moments in time. These images feature the poinsettia throughout, and readers will enjoy identifying the poinsettia plants on each page. Rich with history and cultural relevance, this narrative nonfiction picture book is a beautiful addition to winter holiday collections for young readers and their families.

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Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Kids for providing an ARC for an honest review.

I remember seeing this book during the TLA(Texas Library Association) convention, but I wasn't able to get my hands on a physical copy.

Fast forward to now, having read the books, this is what I think. As an adult who loves history, I found this book to be good. Not great, but good. I approach these books through the lens of what a kid might say or feel, and they may find the content uninteresting due to the heavy load of history and the length of the reading experience. I'm not saying it is a bad book, but working with kids daily, I have seen firsthand that history is not their favorite subject unless it involves historical fiction.

I think that if the focus had shifted to Pepita and her story, the kids could have been more engaged while still learning about the history of "la flor de nochebuena".

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The Giving Flower by Alda P. Dobbs is fascinating, beautiful, and educational. I learned so much about the poinsettia plant. The illustrations were beautiful and engaging. There is also a great timeline at the end of the book. I cannot wait to add this to my children's library. Highly recommend this book.

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A wonderful and in-depth story covering the history and cultural significance of the flower we now call Poinsettia. The illustrations add depth to the story and could engage even the youngest of readers.
From honoring the origins of the poinsettias cultivation and appreciation by the Nahua people (Aztecs), to the time of colorized television, all the way to the U.S. Congress declaring December 12th as National Poinsettia Day in 2002.

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Netgalley ARC - a story of the poinsettia plant that touches on history, culture, medicinal uses, and current symbolism. I like the idea of following the history of one plant.

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The Giving Flower is a wonderful addition to school libraries! It uses storytelling to entertain, support social-emotional learning, and inspire positive behavior. It’s a great way to enrich students’ lives and help them grow!

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