Prunella

Like her parents, young Prunella is a gifted gardener, but the child's botanical tastes are a world apart. Born with a purple thumb, she favors fungi over ferns, cultivates a patch of poison ivy, and loves anything "strange and curious," including "bladderworts, porcupine tomatoes, and corpse flowers." Prunella loves her odd garden, and her somewhat puzzled parents nevertheless fuel her passion, but her interests leave neighborhood peers "not only nervous but nauseated"; it all leads to isolation that finds Prunella perceived as "persnickety" and "prickly." Then one day, a boy walks into her garden, asks genuinely interested questions, and introduces Prunella to an entire community of passionate kid botanists (plus a mycologist and one junior entomologist), who clamor for her wisdom and enthusiasm. As Prunella's defenses melt, she feels a "tiny seed inside" that "sprouted and stretched and soared." Alliterative prose by Ferry (The Christmassy Cactus) and digital artwork by Keane (Make Way), rendered in luxuriant, jewel-toned colors and balletic, inky lines, prove as lovely as a warted puffball as they chronicle Prunella's journey from isolation to connection--the protagonist's sense of relief at finally finding her people is palpable and deeply reassuring. A glossary provides additional information about mentioned species. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Elena Giovinazzo, Pippin Properties. Illustrator's agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (July)

Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

This is not only a unique story with a strong message, but the spotlight on lesser-appreciated plants makes this book a must-buy.

Grounded in both nature and nurture: a tale sure to affirm the nonconformist's spirit.

This delightful picture book cleverly shows how good things grow by following your interests and cultivating genuine connections.

★ "Alliterative prose by Ferry (The Christmassy Cactus) and digital artwork by Keane (Make Way), rendered in luxuriant, jewel-toned colors and balletic, inky lines, prove as lovely as a warted puffball as they chronicle Prunella's journey from isolation to connection—the protagonist's sense of relief at finally finding her people is palpable and deeply reassuring." —Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

★ "Couple Beth Ferry's clever wordplay with Claire Keane's detailed illustrations, and you've got a book that is sure to resonate with young readers, especially those who have ever felt they didn't fit in."—BookPage, STARRED REVIEW

"Prunella is delightful as a grumpy but confident protagonist, knowing what she likes and unwilling to give her passion up just to fit in, while the neighbor kid's wide-eyed enthusiasm is absolutely infectious. Dialogue in speech bubbles complements the narrative text, adding both emotion and explanation along with the actual plant names and characteristics....Aspiring botanists will find this utterly irresistible..."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

*A July/August 2024 Indie Next Pick*
★ "Ferry's warm-voiced text is filled with botanic metaphors while Keane's dusky, blue-smudged palette strikes a tone of blooming shadows without verging too far into gloominess. Front and back matter list and describe Prunella's favorite plants, making the book a strong recommendation for any blossoming purple-thumbed readers as well as children needing reassurance that whatever they love, someone else will love it—and them—too."—Shelf Awareness, STARRED REVIEW