A visually captivating botanical guide that features exquisite illustrations and intriguing insights into the world of common flowers and plants.

Discover the beauty and significance of 21 common meadow and garden plants through breathtaking full-page illustrations, detailed information, and poetic reflections on botany. Drawing inspiration from nature's most exquisite flowers, acclaimed Czech botanical painter Pavlina Kourkova explores the countryside with infectious enthusiasm. Her watercolor renditions captivate not only the eye but also the heart, providing insights into the origin, occurrence, and symbolism of these plants.

The Souls of Flowers offers budding young naturalists and art enthusiasts alike a unique opportunity to explore the fascinating world of common plants found in meadows and gardens throughout North America and Europe. With its stunning illustrations and rich botanical insights, it serves as a gateway for older kids ages 12-15 to develop an appreciation for the beauty of nature. Young readers will not only be captivated by the book's visual splendor but also enriched by its wealth of knowledge regarding plant origins and the so-called language of flowers. It's a perfect blend of art, science, and wonder that promises to inspire curiosity and a deeper connection to the natural world.

About the Author

Pavlina Kourkova is a Czech painter, illustrator, and landscape architect. She studied natural sciences and garden and landscape architecture, giving her a deep understanding of plants. During her study placement in Holland and work experience in England, she was involved in various projects. Pavlina has been inspired by nature since she was a child, and continues to draw from it in her work. Her hometown is Czechia.

Klara Mandausova is a Czech writer, editor, and columnist, with a degree from the University of Economics in Prague. For 13 years, she wrote about health and family finances for the largest Czech newspaper, MF DNES. Currently, she is the editor of Marianne magazine, focusing on teenage child problems, health, and the female world.

Reviews

Selected for The Children's Book Council's April 2024 "Hot Off The Press" Reading List
Featured in April 2024 CBC Hot Off the Press Spotlight

Worldwide known Artist & illustrator, Tutor, Author, Emeritus President of SBA - The Society of Botanical Artists UK

"Gr 5 Up-A stunning compendium of 21 common meadow and garden plants found in Europe and North America, artistically captured by acclaimed Czech botanical painter Kourkova . The full-page watercolor depictions of each flower are accompanied by informative and lyrical entries written by Czech writer and editor Mandausova . These essays also include anecdotes and flower meanings. For example, the profile on the Hyacinth shares the origin of its name (Greek mythology), how Mozart wrote an opera about the myth, and that "the gift of a hyacinth means that the giver's heart belongs to you." Kourkova provides commentary on what each flower means to her and how she felt as she painted it. The work opens with a biography of the botanical artist and her philosophy on painting flowers. An exhortation on respecting flowers also prefaces the collection. The switches between third person and first person are often confusing, but the poetic summaries will draw in botany enthusiasts and artists. Browsers and students alike will be captivated by the lifelike and intricate art done mostly in pastels. The lack of back matter will make it difficult for researchers, but readers interested in plants and language of flowers studies will not mind. VERDICT This breathtaking collection for budding botanists is a general purchase." -Shelley M. Diaz, School Library Journal

"Pavlina Kourkova's vivid, full-page color art drives a celebration of flowers and painting, making The Souls of Flowers a standout for elementary-level libraries. It will even appeal into adult circles, while libraries will find its oversized presentation and captivating cover lend well to display." -Donovan's Literary Services

"Drawing inspiration from nature's most exquisite flowers, acclaimed Czech botanical painter Pavlina Kourkova explores the countryside with infectious enthusiasm. Her watercolor renditions captivate not only the eye but also the heart, providing insights into the origin, occurrence, and symbolism of these plants. "The Souls of Flowers" also offers budding young naturalists and art enthusiasts alike a unique opportunity to explore the fascinating world of common plants found in meadows and gardens throughout North America and Europe. With its stunning illustrations and rich botanical insights, it serves as a gateway for older kids ages 12-15 to develop an appreciation for the beauty of nature. Young readers will not only be captivated by the book's visual splendor but also enriched by its wealth of knowledge regarding plant origins and the so-called language of flowers. "The Souls of Flowers" is a perfect blend of art, science, and wonder that promises to inspire curiosity and a deeper connection to the natural world." -Midwest Book Review-Children's Bookwatch

"Hot Off the Press Spotlight: Nature's Cradle: A visually captivating botanical guide that features exquisite illustrations and intriguing insights into the world of common flowers and plants. Discover the beauty and significance of 21 common meadow and garden plants through breathtaking full-page illustrations, detailed information, and poetic reflections on botany. Drawing inspiration from nature's most exquisite flowers, acclaimed Czech botanical painter Pavlina Kourkova explores the countryside with infectious enthusiasm. Her watercolor renditions captivate not only the eye but also the heart, providing insights into the origin, occurrence, and symbolism of these plants." -Children's Book Council

"In this collection of 21 beautiful botanical paintings, talented artist Pavlina Kourkova shares her knowledge and love of flowers with us through her artwork. I loved that this compendium also dives into the history of flowers, detailing their medicinal uses, and my personal favorite, explaining each flower's unique meaning in the language of flowers. I found my knowledge of flowers much expanded after reading this book, and now I can't help but stop to appreciate each flower I see for its uniqueness and its distinctive beauty. I would recommend this to anyone interested in learning more about the often-overlooked blooms around us, particularly children, teens, and families. It would also be a perfect encyclopedia for artists to gain inspiration and study new techniques. I enjoyed this book so much, and I hope to see more from Pavlina Kourkova." -Georgie Bartlett, YA Books Central

"The viewer can only gasp in admiration at the exquisitely fragile watercolor renditions of a selection of twenty-one flowers found in meadows and gardens by Czeck botanical painter Paulina Kourkova. Each of these sublime flower studies illustrated on encyclopedic-sized pages is annotated with short summaries depicting their historical significance, their role in mythology, and their recognition as national emblems. Targeted for the young adult, these entrancing illustrations will captivate all readers. Young viewers will be mesmerized by the delicate beauty of these flowers, artists will be tempted to capture similar images following this illustrator's paint strokes. Check out the beautiful blues of irises, tulips, hydrangeas, cornflowers, lilacs, hyacinths; the pinks and reds of roses, poppies, columbines, dahlias; check out the yellows of sunflowers, daffodils, dandelions; and mixtures of shades in the simple garden pansy and the blends of colors in the other examples. Discover that the iris symbolizes courage and wisdom, and the revered rose once signified a broken heart, and the lilac flower can be used in cooking. These different blooms all have their own fascinating stories, whose secrets accompany the beguiling watercolor presentations. The book is in essence an ode to flowers and should be exhibited for all to enjoy." -Aron Row, Chicago Book Review

"Pavlina Kourkova's The Souls of Flowers: The Loveliest Flowers in Our Meadows and Gardens is more than a field guide to flowers, as some might expect. It's a literary, as well as a scientific, review of flowers that covers topics not typical of flower surveys, such as chapters on 'Treating Flowers With Respect' and viewing them "though the painter's eyes." Pavlina Kourkova's vivid, full-page color art drives a celebration of flowers and painting, making The Souls of Flowers a standout for elementary-level libraries. It will even appeal into adult circles, while libraries will find its oversized presentation and captivating cover lend well to display. The Souls of Flowers is an excellent choice that libraries will find attractive." -Midwest Book Review-Children's Bookwatch

"When I first saw the work of Pavlina Kourkova, I recognised in it a pure softness that is a pleasure to behold. Pavlina manages to paint with such even beauty that it captivates the viewer. There is both precision and simplicity in each study and a clarity of decision-making in her delivery of the paint. Her studies have a smooth and gentle quality all of their own. Her work in this book is pure colourful joy from start to finish." -Billy Showell BA, SBA

"I love that this referenced how flowers are art, and they are drawn uniquely. "Through the Painter's Eyes" provided a perspective that I wasn't familiar with." -Lindy W., NetGalley-Librarian

"This gorgeous book would make a wonderful gift for flower lovers. Filled with beautiful art work, it's lovely to look it, but I loved reading about the origin of flowers and the legends and history associated with each one. It also talks about medicinal values and other uses. It was fascinating, a quick read, and a great topic." -Destiny L., NetGalley-Educator

"So many words come to mind after reading this book-stunning, breathtaking, wonderful...This book is not only about these beautiful flowers, it's also about the artist herself. Along with the astonishing artwork, we learn about legends, myths, stories, and botany for each flower. Not only is this a big, beautiful book full of life-like paintings, but it also contains information about each plant and their families, for example, lilacs are from the olive family and hyacinths are related to asparagus. A must-have for gardeners and flower lovers alike." -Maria Touet, Malden Catholic High School, Youth Services Book Review

"These beautiful portraits of flowers make you really stop to appreciate the delicate beauty of each petal. You can see the details of the stem and pollen and blossoms in a new way. This whole book is so enchanting! Each lovely page is a reminder of how precious creation is. I love that each flower looks both vulnerable and soft, but also strong in its own delicate way. This book is soothing to read. Something about the artwork is just so peaceful!" -Luminous Libro Blog

"We have absolutely loved the book: The Souls of Flowers. The artist Pavlina Kourkova world of flowers is stunning. Not only do you enjoy the watercolor paintings of several beautiful flowers but it was so enjoyable to read about the flower as well as insight through the painter's eyes." -Brightwish Books, IG

"This book is nothing less than a celebration of the beauty of nature. The author and illustrator is a highly gifted individual. The artwork is simply incredible. The quality of the entire book, content as well as cover, is amazing. It is quite large-size which means we can study the illustrations of flowers in detail. What an amazing resource also for nature study in homeschool!" -Fill Your House with Books, IG

"This book is not only informative and fascinating, but the watercolor artwork by Pavlina Kourkova is beyond jaw-dropping gorgeous. I could look through this one all day long, devouring every beautiful detail and brush stroke. The realism of the artwork is incredible in this book. It would make a beautiful gift for any flower lover in your life." -Kids Corner Book Club, IG

Book Information
ISBN 9788000071008
Author Pavlina Kourkova
Format Hardback
Page Count 88
Imprint Albatros nakladatelstvi as
Publisher Albatros nakladatelstvi as