FLOWERS FOR MAMA, by Deborah Freedman, Viking Books for Young Readers, March 31, 2026, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 3-7)
Four little kittens set out to make special gifts for their mother in Flowers for Mama, a picture book by Deborah Freedman.
For Mama’s special day, the kittens decide to gift her all sorts of flowers. Some are drawn and stamped. Others stitched and sung. Oleander, though, plants a seed in hopes of gifting her a real flower. But as Mama’s special day approaches, Oleander’s flower still hasn’t blossomed. Will he have a gift in time?
Flowers for Mama shows us many ways art can be made and how, with a little patience and a lot of love, very different flowers can all come together to form a whole garden, just for Mama. —Synopsis provided by Viking Books for Young Readers
This tender picture book celebrates good intentions, creativity, hard work and patience. Little readers will relate to the coming up with and making of presents while adults will appreciate the thought behind each gift.
Deborah Freedman’s text is sweet and endearing and her mixed media artwork is full of color and movement. An endnote from Freedman discusses the different kinds of art in the book and how they were used/represented.
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