ALFRED BLOOMS

Poor Alfred needs a friend.

No one ever visits Alfred; he’s sure it’s because his yard is barren. He tries and fails to grow flowers like his friend Lulu, who receives a constant stream of visitors to her glorious garden. Dejected, Alfred decides to try one last time. He buys a seed packet, which he accidentally scatters all over himself with a big sneeze. He wallows sadly in the mud; when he’s caught in the rain, the seeds inexplicably take root on him and immediately bloom, covering him in blossoms. So enflowered, he goes on his weekly errand to bring Lulu a blueberry muffin. She’s delighted by Alfred’s blooms and the sweet treat, but she assures him that she loves his visits, not because of the muffins, but because she enjoys spending time with him, and Alfred’s heart lightens. Why didn’t Alfred already know this after so many visits? Why doesn’t Lulu help him with his garden? Such unresolved questions are more emotionally pressing than the puzzling mystery around the quick-blooming flowers that sprout from Alfred’s person. The cartoon-style art doesn’t clarify matters, though readers may enjoy playful details such as a Little Free Library in Lulu’s yard, topiaries outside the store where Alfred purchases his seeds, and a yellow bird that follows him throughout the story. Alfred is tan-skinned, Lulu is lighter-skinned, and their community is diverse.

Warmhearted but less than satisfying.