This translated picture book features delicate watercolor illustrations that match its whimsical tone. Tending to her greenhouse garden, brown-skinned Willow’s assistant, a chicken named Eulalia (Leghorn), finds a small, new plant growing in a pot. Willow doesn’t know what kind of plant it is, nor does her friend Aspen (white), a poet who rides over on their bicycle. They decide to name the plant “Raisin” after the heroine in Aspen’s poems. The tiny plant is barely growing, so the children take it in a bicycle basket to the seashore for some air. Eulalia and Raisin get temporarily lost when their basket finds its way onto a boat, but the drama is short-lived, much like the excitement when Willow’s ice cream cone falls on the ground and is immediately eaten by a dog. Back at home, Willow finds that Raisin has blossomed into a small yellow flower after a night under the moon. At the same time, Aspen discovers a rare plant that looks just like Raisin in a book called A Magician’s Flower. This quirky and imaginative tale is peppered with vivid phrasing: “The gulls whooshed overhead like white arrows” and “It started raining. It sounded like a hundred mice were dancing on the roof.” A potential model text for classroom writing, this picture book is also simply a languid escape from reality.

A charming children’s tale about finding beauty in friendship and nature, a journey full of adventure while learning to appreciate things just as they are — lushly illustrated by the New York Times featured artist-author of Rosie Runs.

As two plant-loving friends tend to their sapling, they realize what’s tiny can also be mighty!

Willow, Aspen, and Eulalia (their faithful chicken) find a mysterious seedling in a neglected corner of their greenhouse. Unable to identify the sprout from their plant guide, they name it Raisin—after a tiny but clever creature from one of Aspen’s poems. Each morning Willow races to the greenhouse with her watering can, yet Raisin remains small as ever. Hoping the salt air will usher new growth, the two friends strap Raisin snugly to their basket and cycle to the bustling seashore. Traversing the world with determination and spirit, Aspen and Willow set out on a quest to help Raisin grow.

A Magician’s Flower invites young readers to befriend nature and find joy in the many-colored details around them. Marika Maijala’s bold lines illuminate this enchanting tale of friendship, exploration, and courage for readers ages 5-9.