The Souls of Flowers

Selected for The Children’s Book Council’s April 2024 “Hot Off The Press” Reading List Featured in April 2024 CBC Hot Off the Press Spotlight Worldwide known Artist & illustrator, Tutor, Author, Emeritus President of SBA - The Society of Botanical Artists UK ""Gr 5 Up–A stunning compendium of 21 common meadow and garden plants found in Europe and North America, artistically captured by acclaimed Czech botanical painter Kourková. The full-page watercolor depictions of each flower are accompanied by informative and lyrical entries written by Czech writer and editor Mandausová. These essays also include anecdotes and flower meanings. For example, the profile on the Hyacinth shares the origin of its name (Greek mythology), how Mozart wrote an opera about the myth, and that “the gift of a hyacinth means that the giver’s heart belongs to you.” Kourková provides commentary on what each flower means to her and how she felt as she painted it. The work opens with a biography of the botanical artist and her philosophy on painting flowers. An exhortation on respecting flowers also prefaces the collection. The switches between third person and first person are often confusing, but the poetic summaries will draw in botany enthusiasts and artists. Browsers and students alike will be captivated by the lifelike and intricate art done mostly in pastels. The lack of back matter will make it difficult for researchers, but readers interested in plants and language of flowers studies will not mind. VERDICT This breathtaking collection for budding botanists is a general purchase."" —Shelley M. Diaz, School Library Journal ""Drawing inspiration from nature's most exquisite flowers, acclaimed Czech botanical painter Pavlina Kourkova explores the countryside with infectious enthusiasm. Her watercolor renditions captivate not only the eye but also the heart, providing insights into the origin, occurrence, and symbolism of these plants. ""The Souls of Flowers"" also offers budding young naturalists and art enthusiasts alike a unique opportunity to explore the fascinating world of common plants found in meadows and gardens throughout North America and Europe. With its stunning illustrations and rich botanical insights, it serves as a gateway for older kids ages 12-15 to develop an appreciation for the beauty of nature. Young readers will not only be captivated by the book's visual splendor but also enriched by its wealth of knowledge regarding plant origins and the so-called language of flowers. ""The Souls of Flowers"" is a perfect blend of art, science, and wonder that promises to inspire curiosity and a deeper connection to the natural world."" —Midwest Book Review-Children's Bookwatch ""In this collection of 21 beautiful botanical paintings, talented artist Pavlina Kourkova shares her knowledge and love of flowers with us through her artwork. I loved that this compendium also dives into the history of flowers, detailing their medicinal uses, and my personal favorite, explaining each flower's unique meaning in the language of flowers. I found my knowledge of flowers much expanded after reading this book, and now I can’t help but stop to appreciate each flower I see for its uniqueness and its distinctive beauty. I would recommend this to anyone interested in learning more about the often-overlooked blooms around us, particularly children, teens, and families. It would also be a perfect encyclopedia for artists to gain inspiration and study new techniques. I enjoyed this book so much, and I hope to see more from Pavlina Kourkova."" —Georgie Bartlett, YA Books Central ""Pavlina Kourkova's The Souls of Flowers: The Loveliest Flowers in Our Meadows and Gardens is more than a field guide to flowers, as some might expect. It's a literary, as well as a scientific, review of flowers that covers topics not typical of flower surveys, such as chapters on 'Treating Flowers With Respect' and viewing them ""though the painter's eyes."" Pavlina Kourkova's vivid, full-page color art drives a celebration of flowers and painting, making The Souls of Flowers a standout for elementary-level libraries. It will even appeal into adult circles, while libraries will find its oversized presentation and captivating cover lend well to display. The Souls of Flowers is an excellent choice that libraries will find attractive."" —Midwest Book Review-Children's Bookwatch ""So many words come to mind after reading this book—stunning, breathtaking, wonderful…This book is not only about these beautiful flowers, it’s also about the artist herself. Along with the astonishing artwork, we learn about legends, myths, stories, and botany for each flower. Not only is this a big, beautiful book full of life-like paintings, but it also contains information about each plant and their families, for example, lilacs are from the olive family and hyacinths are related to asparagus. A must-have for gardeners and flower lovers alike."" —Maria Touet, Youth Services Book Review ""The real focus of this book is the gorgeous art. Lovely colors and textures feature a variety of watercolor plates. I can almost smell the sweet scent of the fluffy pink peonies, feel the fleshy textures of the bearded irises, and hear the hum of the bees. I knew I had to have this when I saw the lush irises on the cover and I freely admit that this is a book I am keeping!"" —Flying Off My Bookshelf ""When I first saw the work of Pavlina Kourkova, I recognised in it a pure softness that is a pleasure to behold. Pavlina manages to paint with such even beauty that it captivates the viewer. There is both precision and simplicity in each study and a clarity of decision-making in her delivery of the paint. Her studies have a smooth and gentle quality all of their own. Her work in this book is pure colourful joy from start to finish."" —Billy Showell BA, SBA, world-renowned artist & illustrator, tutor, author, president emeritus of the Society of Botanical Artists UK ""Hot Off the Press Spotlight: Nature's Cradle: A visually captivating botanical guide that features exquisite illustrations and intriguing insights into the world of common flowers and plants. Discover the beauty and significance of 21 common meadow and garden plants through breathtaking full-page illustrations, detailed information, and poetic reflections on botany. Drawing inspiration from nature’s most exquisite flowers, acclaimed Czech botanical painter Pavlína Kourková explores the countryside with infectious enthusiasm. Her watercolor renditions captivate not only the eye but also the heart, providing insights into the origin, occurrence, and symbolism of these plants."" —Children's Book Council ""The viewer can only gasp in admiration at the exquisitely fragile watercolor renditions of a selection of twenty-one flowers found in meadows and gardens by Czeck botanical painter Paulina Kourkova. Each of these sublime flower studies illustrated on encyclopedic-sized pages is annotated with short summaries depicting their historical significance, their role in mythology, and their recognition as national emblems. Targeted for the young adult, these entrancing illustrations will captivate all readers. Young viewers will be mesmerized by the delicate beauty of these flowers, artists will be tempted to capture similar images following this illustrator’s paint strokes. The book is in essence an ode to flowers and should be exhibited for all to enjoy."" —Aron Row, Chicago Book Review