The Giving Flower

A lyrical picture book about the Poinsettia flower and the holiday traditions it has inspired

First, the flower grew wild-a yellow blossom with bracts that turn brilliant red in winter. The ancient Nahuas cultivated it; then it inspired Mexico's most famous Christmas legend. After the flower caught the eye of Mexico's first US ambassador, it became known as the Poinsettia. Yet it has many more names and traditions-and even more colors!

From Pura Belpre Honoree Alda P. Dobbs and illustrator Emily Mendoza comes a lyrical and vibrant picture book history of the flower that has given the world so much.