Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Mahy ( The Seven Chinese Brothers ; The Great White Man-Eating Shark ) writes with considerable verve about a most unusual houseguest. A blue-flowered plant begs mild-mannered Mr. Parkin to take her home and tend to her–“I will be your humble little potted plant, though I am actually a rare and valuable species.” When the plant becomes increasingly demanding (“I must have entertainment. I need the finer things of life.”) it becomes apparent that poor Mr. Parkin is out of his depth. Luckily for him help appears from an unexpected source, and Mr. P. can return to the quiet obedience of his pumpkins. Mahy’s droll, inventive tale possesses her trademark exuberance, and Craig’s ( Angelina Ballerina ) illustrations perfectly capture the sense of fun. Though her palette is not vibrant, the humorous expressions on both people and plants are thoroughly engaging. A botanical beauty. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3– A humorous and intriguing story that is both gentle and satisfying. Mr. Parkin grows pumpkins; that’s all he wants to grow. So he is surprised to find himself carting home a plaintive blue creeper that has insinuated itself into his wheelbarrow full of potting mix. The vine, a former resident of the mysterious garden of Lily Rose Willowherb, declares it was being mistreated, but by the time its horrifying tantrums have reduced Mr. Parkin to renting a full symphony orchestra to entertain it, it is clear who is being abused. The appearance of Lily Rose, who looks as exotic as her creeper, and her summary handling of the ungrateful creature are quite a relief. Mr. Parkin returns to the silence of his pumpkins, which all display gentle smiles as the crafty creeper exits stage right. Craig’s watercolors are restrained but expressive. Her reserved, balding Mr. Parkin is just the sort of person who would be henpecked by a plant, and seven flower faces show a wide range of emotions, from contentment, to irritation, to a feigned swoon. They provide a fitting complement to this tongue-in-cheek cautionary tale, which will leave young readers wondering just what else might be behind Lily Rose’s garden walls. –Ann Welton, University Child Development School, Seattle
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Kirkus Reviews
Concocted with Mahy’s usual incisive wit, a tall-tale concerning the sort of character that charmingly insinuates itself on the unwary, then makes life miserable with demands and threats. The lovely intruder here is a sinuous, many-headed plant whose several petulant faces resemble morning glories; her hapless victim is nice Mr. Parkin, who is passing harmlessly by with a wheelbarrow of soil intended for the more amiable pumpkins he favors when the importunate plant creeps out from under neighbor Lily Rose Willowherb’s spiked gate and climbs aboard. Once home and properly potted, the plant shows its true colors, demanding entertainment–only a full orchestra can keep it from withering away. Luckily, Lily Rose comes to the rescue: she knows the plant is really “tough as old boots” and “practically a weed”: it’s Mr. Parkin who is “too soft and sensitive for a plant like this,” and she sensibly rescues him by dragging it unceremoniously home. To those attuned, the satire here cuts with rapier precision, but Mahy’s use of language is so deft and good-humored that her tale will also be read as more lighthearted hyperbole. Illustrator Craig nicely extends the characterizations, adding plenty of amusing details and a concerned bird and cat. Wickedly pointed; thoroughly amusing. (Picture book. 4-10) — Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
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