dandelionfluff's review
3.0
I'm always hesitant to rate a book highly based on illustration quality alone, so let's say that the pictures are pretty, but the story is a bit light. Basically the main character, Florabelle, daydreams all the time. It gets in the way of her life, causing her to be late to school, drawing her away from family meals, you know. Eventually they put their foot down and say that if she doesn't start focusing, she'll miss going to the ocean. When she does get there, she's frightened, and won't swim. Eventually she realizes that by dreaming she's a mermaid, she can overcome her fear of the water. She swims with her family, yay, the end.
I was left wondering what the message was. Too much dreaming is bad and annoying? Sometimes daydreaming is alright, especially when it helps you overcome your fears? Like I said earlier, the illustrations are lovely with a mix of fantasy and realism, but, I'm not sure the story is solid enough to warrant me buying a copy.
I was left wondering what the message was. Too much dreaming is bad and annoying? Sometimes daydreaming is alright, especially when it helps you overcome your fears? Like I said earlier, the illustrations are lovely with a mix of fantasy and realism, but, I'm not sure the story is solid enough to warrant me buying a copy.
kristinajean's review
3.0
This is the girliest book of all the books.
Florabelle dreams of being a princess, a ballerina, a Queen, a Rodeo Queen and a Mermaid. It just feeds into the princess-mania.
BUT, the illustrations are beautiful. The integration of flower photography into Florabelle's imaginative self is inspired and delightful. If only the narrative was strong enough to support the illustrations.
Florabelle dreams of being a princess, a ballerina, a Queen, a Rodeo Queen and a Mermaid. It just feeds into the princess-mania.
BUT, the illustrations are beautiful. The integration of flower photography into Florabelle's imaginative self is inspired and delightful. If only the narrative was strong enough to support the illustrations.
eitmreads's review
4.0
This is a cute book about a little girl with her head in the clouds. I really enjoyed the illustrations in this book, and I admired Florabelle for daring to dream even when her family was serious.
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