Reviews: (by author)

Boyden, Linda. The Blue Roses. Illus. Amy Córdova. New York: Lee & Low Books Inc, 2002. $16.95. ISBN 1-58430-037-X. 29 pp.

The Blue Roses is an endearing story about a young girl’s relationship with her grandfather. At Rosalie’s birth her grandfather plants a red rose bush under her window. As Rosalie grows up her grandfather teaches her how to love and care for her rose bush and the surrounding garden. When some of Rosalie’s plants die, her grandfather teaches her an important lesson about life and death. Her grandfather shows her how to replant the dead flowers so that those that live will grow strong. He teaches Rosalie “Nothing ever really leaves.” Rosalie’s grandfather grows old and soon leaves this world. After his death, Rosalie has a dream in which she sees her grandfather surrounded by climbing blue roses. Rosalie remembers her grandfather’s words and continues with their garden, remembering, “Nothing ever really leaves.”

The message within The Blue Roses is that all things do die so that others might be strong. The illustrations beautifully depict this heartfelt message. I would recommend as a reminder that “Nothing ever really leaves.”

Recommended
Dawn Brophy, May 2004

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