Flowers Bloom

Inspire children to explore the wonderful fragrance and unique characteristics of the flowers that bloom all around them

In Flowers Bloom, two young children, guided by an adult, set off on a spring walk through their colorful city neighborhood. The air is soft and sweet with the scent of blooming flowers. Guided by their curiosity, cousins Kamali and Josiah notice how every flower is different—some planted neatly in window boxes, others sprouting wild and free. As they stroll, they notice flowers spreading comfort and joy at every step. They learn that, like flowers, people bloom in many ways. No matter where we come from, we brighten the world in our own unique way.

Flowers Bloom:

• Encourages children to explore the beauty of the natural world—no matter where they live
• Celebrates diverse communities and the many ways people flourish
• Sparks conversations about uniqueness, growth, and belonging
• Includes discussion ideas and activities to help children learn more about nature and their own senses

This book is part of the Outside Our Window Board Books series, which encourages children—especially those in urban environments—to explore, protect, and delight in nature. Each book in the series focuses on one feature of the natural world (like flowers), one sense (smell), and one communication or relationship skill (blooming where you land). The books emphasize community and encourage children and families to explore the natural world around them.

| In Flowers Bloom, cousins Kamali and Josiah go for a springtime walk through their neighborhood, taking time to smell the flowers and exploring the unique beauty of each one. |

Working at the intersection of nature, literature, and culture, Mélina Mangal's writing highlights youth whose voices are rarely heard, and the people and places that inspire them to explore their world. Her books from Free Spirit include Jayden's Impossible Garden, Jayden's Secret Ingredient, and the Outside Our Window Board Books series. She is also the author of short stories and biographies for youth, including The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just. She won the Carter G. Woodson Book Award and was named an NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People. Mélina also works as a school library teacher in Minnesota and enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, whether it's in her backyard or hiking in the woods.

Stella Lim is a Korean illustrator based in Seoul. She studied fine art at the Seoul Women's University and illustration at Kingston University in London. She draws inspiration from her childhood in rural South Korea, and likes to bring something new to each project she works on.

| "I absolutely love the concept of connecting with nature while living in the city. Curiosity and joy emanate from the Outside Our Window series." | "Truly noteworthy series . . . [that] deliberately and effectively emphasizes community and encourages children and their families to explore the natural world around them."