Rui Umezawa, illustrated by Yuji Ando,
Aiko’s flowers.
Tundra Books, 1999

Aiko’s flowers is the story of a little Japanese girl’s struggle with family tradition. Aiko must learn the art of ikebana (flower arranging) because, as her mother says, "it’s a tradition in our family." But poor Aiko has trouble. Her branches do not stay in place, and she pricks her finger on the kenzan (the metal spike-covered base used to hold up branches.) Frustrated, she runs out of the house. Outside, alone on a hilltop she looks out to the sea. Soon she hears the voice of an old woman bearing sunflowers. The old woman approaches Aiko and they begin to talk. Aiko is encouraged and heartened by the wise old woman’s words. Taking the old woman’s sunflowers, Aiko returns to her mother with newfound feelings of respect and love for the art of ikebana.

The story of Aiko’s flowers is simply and delightfully told. It expresses a little girl’s inner struggles with herself and her ability to maintain family tradition. The delicate sensibility of the writer goes well with the soft pastel-like illustrations that accompany the text. On each page of written text, the illustrator, Yuji Ando, provides the reader with a beautiful branch or sprig of a flower or shrub that subtly underscores the ikebana theme.

Although Aiko’s flowers seems like a story for girls, it is a good read for any child who must struggle with learning something that is a cultural tradition. The conflict is real and genuine enough. Its resolution (in the form of the wisdom of an old woman) is presented in a nuanced way. Umezawa’s text and Ando’s illustration fit nicely together to make for a thoroughly enjoyable read.