The Land of the Blue Flower

Ok, it's not really all that good. You should read [b:The Secret Garden|8134520|The Secret Garden|Frances Hodgson Burnett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1334326844l/8134520._SX50_.jpg|3186437] instead.

But since I believe that the sort of 'magic' in here is possible, though of course to a much lesser degree, I loved it. That is to say, raising a child up in the fresh air will be much more likely to result in one healthier, taller, stronger than one raised in close rooms heated by fireplaces, etc. And though I would not say it in so many words, it is pretty much true that "There is no time for anger. There is no time for fear."

I do wish that when I was small I had known this story... I do indeed show more think that it would have worked its magic on me. The Secret Garden helped, but I would have benefited from something as un-subtle as this... that's the kind of child that I was.

(Very short, and in the public domain. The copy I read on openlibrary has only one illustration, the painting used as the cover for the audiobook that I chose to claim as the one I read. But I did read text... I can't speak to quality of narration.) show less

Moralistic yet charming fairy tale of a young king who brings happiness to his kingdom by teaching them to care for flowers (and the earth and each other).

The Land of the Blue Flower by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a short sweet fairy tale by the author of The Secret Garden and A Little Princess. It's the sort of morality tale often written to instruct children 100 years ago, and it would probably be long out of print if it had been written by a less well-know author. My copy dates from 1913, and I was surprised to find, when I checked on Amazon, that it was still available. It might appeal to fans of books like The Little Prince or The Alchemist, though it doesn't have the depth of either of those, but it is definitely a period piece.

Young Prince Amor is born to rule a troubled kingdom called Mordreth's Land. His father is dead, and his mother the Queen dies shortly after he is born, show more entrusting him to a wise man called the Ancient One. The Ancient One takes him away from the city and raises him alone on a mountaintop, where he learns the spiritual value of connecting with the natural world. The birds bring him a wonderful blue flower, which he raises in his garden. When he grows up and takes his rightful place as king, he brings the blue flower with him, and uses it to change the lives of his unhappy subjects.

This story is heartwarming, but slight, and it would definitely benefit from illustrations. What I found most interesting about it were its echoes in Burnett's other works, especially The Secret Garden, where growing flowers also transforms a child's life and that of those around her. This story gives several of Burnett's commonest messages -- the value of nature, and the uselessness of negative emotions --in a straightforward way. Not a book to search for, but a quick, pleasant read if you come across it. show less