Lena’s Zinnias
My friend, Missy Rolfe recently published an adorable picture book titled Lena’s Zinnias. As you can tell by the title, the book is about growing zinnias. What makes this picture book so special (besides the story itself) is the sweet story behind the story.
Missy’s grandmother, Lena, loved caring for her flower garden and watching the zinnias blossom and grow. She shared her love of zinnias with her daughter, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter, who also helped to care for them.
The ladies would often pick colorful bouquets and give them to friends and family. Lena’s zinnias brought smiles to everyone who received them. On Lena’s 90th birthday, everyone who came to her party received a packet of zinnia seeds so they could start growing their own flower gardens.
The last verse in the story goes like this:
Lena now lives in her heavenly home,
but her daughter and granddaughters too,
keep planting the flowers and spending hours
enjoying their beautiful view.
The rhyming text is smooth and lyrical, and the colorful illustrations by her daughter, Sydney Rolfe, are a perfect match for this sweet story. To add an educational element to the book, a two-page spread follows the story with detailed steps on how to grow your own zinnias, as well as some fun facts about zinnias.
In the front of the book is a spread with pictures of the four seasons, two of which include zinnias. Ecclesiastes 3:11 acknowledges God as creator–He makes everything beautiful in its time.
As I read and reviewed this story, I saw a deeper meaning woven into the pages. Passing flower seeds from one generation to the next is like passing seeds of faith to future generations. And just as those flowers seeds grow into beautiful flowers, seeds of faith can grow into beautiful children of God.
I am happy to give this book 5 stars! *****
Crystal Bowman
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Oh, I must get this book! I love zinnias and plant them with my granddaughter every year. What a sweet backstory. The connections we can make to our spiritual lives is what makes children’s books like these so special. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Karen. So happy to hear you love zinnias too! In the back of the book we have a couple ways for kiddos to reach out to us and we will mail them a pack of Lena’s Zinnia seeds. We would love to do that for your granddaughter!
So true, Karen. Thanks for your comment.
How sweet! I had an aunt who raised zinnias so this brings back memories. In will put it on my Christmas list for my granddaughter who loves gardening.
The book is so well done and fun to read! Great idea to buy for a Christmas gift.
Karen – yes, zinnias do bring back memories for a lot of people. We are happy to mail a pack of Lena’s Zinnias seeds to your granddaughter – instructions for reaching us are in the back of the book.
Oh, I love this! Lena is my daughter and mother’s name. My mother loved flowers, and so does my daughter!
You have to get this!!!
Oh wow! I love it! The name Lena is gaining popularity again. Happy to hear you all love flowers too. I hope you enjoy our book.
What a sweet book which bring back memories of time spent with my gardening grandmother whose legacy lives on through flowers.
Thanks for sharing!
We’re so thrilled we can keep my grandma Lena’s garden alive through sharing her story and zinnia seeds!
I was happy to work with Missy on the story. We were very pleased with EA Publishers. It’s a darling book.
Crystal, thank you so much for your expertise and support for our book. And for the very kind review! As I’ve been saying. . . God gave me a sweet story to share and my talented daughter, Sydney, brought it to life with her illustrations.
This looks like a wonderful treasure for any child’s library. I’m eager to read it myself.
Janice – we hope you love it!
Looks great! Thanks for sharing it!
I love this. What a sweet tradition to start in a family!!
What a lovely book. Thanks for sharing.