I was thrilled to receive a sweet note from Eileen Spinelli. I've been friends with her for a few years now, and sent her a copy of The Falling Flowers when it first came out. She and husband Jerry used my book as an entry in their new book, Today I Will, published by Alfred A. Knopf. It's a book about a year of quotes, notes and promises to myself... Anyway- looks like a great book- have it on order. :) And, it's always awesome to be part of something so special!
The Falling Flowers
By Jennifer B. Reed
Illustrated by Dick Cole
$16.95, Hardcover, 32 pages
English Text
Ages 4-8
ISBN-10: 1885008287
ISBN-13: 9781885008282
What is more fun than the zoo, more beautiful than the shrine, and prettier than the neon lights of Tokyo? Mayumie and her Grandmother are taking a train ride into the heart of the biggest city in Japan to see something special, but Grandmother won’t say what it is.
Mayumie tries to guess what this special place might be, but the excitement of taking a train and seeing the lights of the big city are almost thrilling enough. Finally, they turn down a quiet street in the middle of the city and find what Grandmother has been looking for: a grove of Japanese cherry trees, all in blossom.
This touching story of a little girl’s outing with her grandmother takes place in modern-day Japan, where cherry trees bloom for one week every spring. With text simple enough for the youngest readers, author Jennifer Reed captures the excitement and wonder of a little girl’s day in the big city, while Illustrator Dick Cole’s watercolors complement both the serenity and animation of Tokyo in the springtime.
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Japan 4-Book Set
Includes:Maneki Neko: The Tale of the Beckoning Cat
The Falling Flowers
The Wakame Gatherers
Jingu: The Hidden Princess
Total Value of $66.80
Now Only $53.50!
20% Off!
News and Thoughts
As the cold days of winter draw to an end, I am eagerly looking forward to those first signs of spring. In my own backyard, it means anxiously anticipating the blooming of three Japanese flowering cherry trees we planted a few years ago. Their bright, pink blossoms dance in the air as the winds change direction from the north, northwest to south, south west. When The Falling Flowers first came out, I would sit under the trees with book in hand and read to my kids.
This year, I hope to visit Washington D.C. (we live just 2 hours away!) and take in all the beauty of the cherry trees in the city. I also plan on giving some books away for Easter presents (good idea huh?) Another good idea- plant a cherry tree or two in your back yard, or at your school, church or place of business. Cherry trees are beautiful year round!
This year, I hope to visit Washington D.C. (we live just 2 hours away!) and take in all the beauty of the cherry trees in the city. I also plan on giving some books away for Easter presents (good idea huh?) Another good idea- plant a cherry tree or two in your back yard, or at your school, church or place of business. Cherry trees are beautiful year round!
By sheer luck, the cherry trees were just beginning to blossom when we visited Japan for a week in April last year. Just seeing the trees around the cities and at the castles and temples was the highlight of the entire trip. I'll let the images speak for themselves.
The Falling Flowers by Jennifer Reed and illustrated by Dick Cole has been reviewed in School Library Journal:
"The pale blue boxes of text, set along the outer edge of an otherwise blank white page, resemble lovely scrolls. The soft watercolors that complete the spreads have a dreamlike quality."
"The pale blue boxes of text, set along the outer edge of an otherwise blank white page, resemble lovely scrolls. The soft watercolors that complete the spreads have a dreamlike quality."
Children's Bookwatch has a nice review of The Falling Flowers by Jennifer Reed and illustrated by Dick Cole:
"Ideal for children 4 to 8, The Falling Flowers is the story of a young Japanese girl and her grandmother. Mayumie and her Grandmother take a train ride into the heart of Tokyo, then walk together down a quiet street in the middle of the city and find a grove of Japanese cherry trees all in blossom. The simple, elegant text by Jennifer Reed is perfectly showcased with Dick Cole's watercolors giving this original story a timeless and universal appeal. The Falling Flowers would make a truly fine and appreciated addition to any picturebook collection."
"Ideal for children 4 to 8, The Falling Flowers is the story of a young Japanese girl and her grandmother. Mayumie and her Grandmother take a train ride into the heart of Tokyo, then walk together down a quiet street in the middle of the city and find a grove of Japanese cherry trees all in blossom. The simple, elegant text by Jennifer Reed is perfectly showcased with Dick Cole's watercolors giving this original story a timeless and universal appeal. The Falling Flowers would make a truly fine and appreciated addition to any picturebook collection."
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"The simple, elegant text by Jennifer Reed is perfectly showcased with Dick Cole's watercolors giving this original story a timeless and universal appeal."
-Children's BookwatchJennifer Reed lived in Japan for three years and was inspired to write, The Falling Flowers after her first spring there. She was in awe of the flowering cherry trees, and the strong bond so often found between Japanese grandmothers and their grandchildren. This relationship reminded her of her own bond with her grandmothers. Today, Jennifer writes children’s books, edits and is a professor of children’s literature, teaching others how to take their inspiration and create lasting stories. She lives in Maryland with her husband and two children. Several cherry trees grow in her back yard.
Dick Cole is an illustrator and watercolorist with over 30 years of experience. A graduate of UCLA and the Art Center College of Design, Dick has worked as graphic designer, art director, and illustrator in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. He has garnered awards from the three cities’ Art Director’s Clubs as well as the San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York Societies of Illustrators.
Shen’s Books is a publisher of multicultural children’s literature that emphasizes cultural diversity and tolerance, with a focus on introducing children to the cultures of Asia.
Through books, we can share a world a stories, building greater understanding and tolerance within our increasingly diverse communities as well as throughout our continuously shrinking globe.
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The Falling Flowers
By Jennifer B. Reed
Illustrated by Dick Cole
$16.95, Hardcover, 32 pages
English Text
Ages 4-8
ISBN-10: 1885008287
ISBN-13: 9781885008282