Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Unusual girl bucks conformity in fun, spooky outsider tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
When Millie Fleur La Fae and her mom move into a new town where all the houses are alike and all the people seem the same, Millie Fleur misses her old garden. So her mom brings out seeds to grow the dangerous-looking plants (some with eyes and teeth) from her old garden. But the stuffy townsfolk aren't so happy with MILLIE FLEUR'S POISON GARDEN. They call it "odd," "unruly," and "appalling" and put up a sign outside her gates that say "Beware the Poison Garden." She assures them, "It's not poisonous, it's just not like yours." Then she invites her entire class to come see it and decide for themselves. "Even their teacher came to see what all the fuss was about!"
Is It Any Good?
This mildly spooky story has inventive illustrations and a positive message about not fearing things -- or people -- just because they're different. Millie Fleur's Poison Garden also speaks to anyone who's felt like an outsider or experienced the challenge of adjusting to a new town, home, or school and trying to make friends. The fact that Millie Fleur's "weird" plants are all made up may make it less relatable or intriguing than a story about real-world weird plants, but author Christy Mandin's fanciful illustrations, funny plant names ("Witches Wort," "Belching Huckleberry," "Curdled Milkweed") and outsider theme should draw kids in.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the "weird" plants in Millie Fleur's Poison Garden. Are they really poisonous or just different? Which one's your favorite? Which one is the spookiest?
The kids are curious about Millie Fleur's garden. Why is curiosity an important character strength?
Have you ever been afraid of something just because it was different? What happened? Did you end up liking it in the end?
Book Details
- Author: Christy Mandin
- Illustrator: Christy Mandin
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Great Girl Role Models , Science and Nature
- Character Strengths: Communication , Courage , Curiosity , Integrity , Perseverance
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Orchard Books
- Publication date: July 2, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
- Number of pages: 40
- Available on: Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 24, 2024
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
What to Read Next
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate