The Art of Giving Flowers by Callie Craumer

Illustrator: Fiona Kwan

Genre: Nature Guide/Non-Fiction

Date of Publication: March 6, 2012

Memorable Quotation: “One of the best reasons to send flowers is no reason at all.” (pg. 47)

Lasting Impression: This simple guide unlocks the secrets to not only the art of giving flowers but as well the components that will make your next bouquet of flowers that much more special and sentimental.

NOTE: This will be the first non-fiction book (more specifically the first guide) I am reviewing so my rating system will be different from the fictional novels.  Here are definitions to my rating components so no one is confused:

(This rating system will be for guides; for non-fiction, there will likely be a different system.)

Accessibility: Was the guide easy to understand for a wide audience?

Content: Was the subject interesting?

Creativity: Was it told in an interesting way or was it simply a bore to read?

Layout: Is the amount of text overwhelming? Are there pictures to break up the text to make it more visually appealing?

Overall Grade: Self- explanatory.

Accessibility: A+

Content: A+

Creativity: A-

Layout: B+

Overall Grade: A

Giving flowers to someone has become a customary way of showing one’s appreciation, support, sympathy, or any number of emotions that words cannot rightfully express.  Now, the secrets florists have known for so long about the importance behind certain flowers paired with the proper occasion is now accessible to the public with Callie Craumer’s remarkable guide, The Art of Giving Flowers.

 I reviewed a novel a few months ago called The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, which focused on the meaning or ‘language’ of flowers but this guide goes beyond the meanings (although it does have a chapter on it) and explores the proper steps as to how to select the perfect arrangement for someone. Craumer takes you through colors, the characteristics of certain flowers that make them unique, and the arrangements that go best with each holiday, leaving nothing to question and giving you all of the information you need to create a truly unique floral gift for anyone.

This floral guide is only 56 pages long but to my surprise it was not a quick read; it was packed with more information than I thought could fit into such a little book.  In saying so, that does not mean the content seemed to be squeezed into the pages; Craumer does an excellent job being thorough with her descriptions but not so much so that she will lose your interest.  What helps break up the guide are the beautiful watercolor drawings of many of the flowers describes, illustrated by Fiona Kwan.  The flower illustrations are simple yet full detail as they help tie all of the information Craumer is describing together.

The only downfall to this guide was the layout. Although I like how the sentences are broken up frequently with flower illustrations, the guide could have flowed better if the flowers described in certain arrangements had those flowers illustrated on the page.  Instead, the flower ‘arrangement’ on the page was at times random, leaving me disappointed in not being able to see what Craumer was trying to say due to the lack of visual aid.

Other than that small setback, everything is written beautifully in an informative, yet warm way. The Art of Giving Flowers is a must have guide for anyone who is interested in gardening, floral arrangement, or would like to know the secrets up to now only the florists knew about when it comes to ‘the art of giving flowers.’

~Shelly-Beans