A Way with Wild Things
Larissa Theule and Sara Palacios
Bloomsbury Children’s Books

Poppy Ann Fields is perfectly happy and at ease in the natural world but when it comes to engaging with humans at social gatherings, she’d much rather blend in with the surroundings and not be noticed.

Then at Grandma Phyllis’s hundredth birthday party something happens that changes things: a dragonfly lands on the birthday cake and its wings shimmer in the sunlight. Absolutely delighted, Poppy claps her hands causing her Uncle Dan to spot her and he draws attention to her presence in a booming voice. The last thing the girl wants is to become the centre of attention but all of a sudden she has to decide: should she take flight or stay and fight her fear?

Nobody is more delighted than Grandma Phyllis by her decision to share her knowledge with the guests; indeed it’s she who enables Poppy to realise that rather than a wallflower, most assuredly she’s a wildflower.

Gently and empathetically told, Larissa Theule’s uplifting poetic narrative celebrates Poppy’s quiet gentleness and her keen observational skills showing them as valuable assets, rather than drawbacks. A wonderful encouragement to all those youngsters like Poppy to have the confidence to share their knowledge and shine too. Sara Palacios’ beautifully textured, brightly coloured illustrations draw the eye to each and every detail so that we too, like Poppy, stop and enjoy the delights of nature shown in her scenes.