Lulu Loves Flowers

Story

After reading the nursery rhyme Mary Mary Quite Contrary, Lulu wants to plant her own garden. So she uses books from the library to do some research and makes a list of plants. After a trip to the garden centre, she busies herself while she waits patiently for her seeds to grow. She makes a flower book and decorations for her garden before inviting her friends in to celebrate.

Why we chose it

A lovely story about the simple pleasures of working in the garden and being outside with friends. Lulu Loves Flowers is one of the stories featured Small Worlds.

Where it came from

Anna McQuinn was born in Kerry, Ireland. She writes, edits and publishes book for young children. She believes that all children should see themselves in the stories they read, so tries to include a wide range of children and experiences in her stories. She is dedicated to being inclusive in her writing, but is keen to use naturally occurring opportunities to depict children from different backgrounds and those with disabilities rather than contrived storylines.

Where it went next

Lulu Loves Flowers was shortlisted for the 2015 Green Earth Book Award. It was also Books for Keeps Book of the Week in March 2015.

Associated stories

The Lulu series of books have been translated into many different languages and have been published in the US, Denmark, Netherlands, Korea, Sweden and Brazil.

Lulu’s First Day was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal 2010 as was Zeki Gets a Checkup in 2019.

Although Anna McQuinn is best known for the Lulu books (known as Lola in the US), she has written over 25 picture books.

In the museum

Find Lulu and her flowers in Small Worlds.