Reviews: (by author)

Laube, Sigrid. The Flower Ball. Illus. Silke Leffler. Columbus, OH: Pumpkin House, 2005. ISBN 0-9646010-2-8. $15.95. Publisher’s recommended ages: 5-10. www.pumpkinhouse.com

Laube and Leffler have together created a little gem. The plot is familiar: one group rejects and disdains the other but by the end they are friends. What distinguishes this presentation is the talent and originality of the author and artist--and the translator Philip Boehm, since The Flower Ball was published first in German. Laube and Leffler are Austrian.

The flowers disdain the vegetables. The former live in a grand setting; the latter among picket fences. When Cauliflower and Carrot determine to go to the Flower Ball, they withstand the snide remarks of Lavender, Rose, Larkspur, and all. But when the vegetable pair takes to the dance floor, can those two dance! They do the Snap-Bean Rumba, the Cucumber Tango, and the Chili-Pepper Cha-Cha-Cha. Undeniably, “They were a beautiful sight and the flowers couldn’t help but applaud.” Cauliflower and Carrot continue to wow the crowd, and, bys tory’s end, they are all mingling easily and inviting each other to future mixers. The story is lively, mostly dialogue and brief, lovely descriptions. Laube’s elegant prose has a slightly formal air, which suits this story.

Add to this a series of watercolor illustrations that are simply brilliant. So much is brought to life, imagined, and expanded. Leffler depicts flowers and vegetable in regal Viennese costumes that perfectly express which flower or vegetable they are. Her use of detail is exemplified by the radishes’ handbags. From the peas in their pods to the lettuce, from the carnation to the violet, from the details on the drapes to the moon and stars and the butterfly and lightning-bug decorations on the flowers’ chandelier, there is much to enjoy. And each page is designed differently; some illustrations cover two pages, others wend their way through a page, or several occupy different spaces on the page.

This is a $15.95 work of art.

A. Allison, June 2007

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