View source for Too Many Blooms (Flower Girls 1) by Catherine R Daly

{{infobox1
|title=Too Many Blooms (Flower Girls 1)
|author=Catherine R Daly
|reviewer=Anne Thompson
|genre=Confident Readers
|rating=3.5
|buy=Maybe
|borrow=Yes
|isbn=9781407124797
|pages=192
|publisher=Scholastic
|date=August 2012
|summary=The first in a new series for tweens this is a light-hearted story about families, friendship and learning to compromise.  
|cover=140712479X
|aznuk=140712479X
|aznus=140712479X
}}
Delphinium Bloom is devoted to her grandparents and enjoys helping out in their family flower shop. For Del the shop is a haven of peace, quiet and orderliness compared to the rather chaotic, noisy but loving home she shares with her parents and three younger sisters. Del is a sensible and responsible girl and is horrified when her grandparents announce that they are moving to Florida leaving the shop in the tender care of Del’s scatter-brained parents and family.  The family’s first order is for a large and very important wedding and one of the bridesmaids is to be Ashley, Del’s arch-rival at school. Will the family, and Del, be able to cope with the stress? 

Del misses her grandparents very much and disapproves of the way in which her mother is running the family business in their absence. As the story progresses the friction between her and her sisters increases and this is complicated further by Del’s friendship with a new boy at school.  The setting of the story in a flower shop is slightly unusual but I liked the way that this enabled the main character to show some entrepreneurial skills and gave the story a different feel to other books of this type.  There are many books available for this age group covering the themes of family, friendship difficulties and growing up, with its conflicting emotional issues, but this, I felt, was rather better than the usual standard of series books for children. 

Del’s character develops throughout the story and she learns some lessons about the benefits of compromise and working as a team. The first crush is sensitively dealt with and in an appropriate manner for the intended age group too. At times, however, the voice of Del does sound a little mature for a girl of her age but this is a minor quibble. Set in America the story does also contain references which may feel a little different to us but I think most readers will be sufficiently used to these for this not to be a big problem. I liked the way in which the family relationships were described and the various story lines are sufficient to keep the reader’s interest. The general tone of the book is a kindly and positive one and provides a reassuring message to young readers. 

The first in a new series, this is a light hearted and enjoyable read for tweens which, at 192 pages, more confident readers may find a rather speedy read.  The content and style may make this story appealing to slightly older reluctant readers too. The added benefit of further instalments in the lives of Del and her sisters to follow will be useful in encouraging young readers also. 

Thank you to the publishers for providing Bookbag with the copy of this book. 

If this inspires you to read another story about a young girl with an interest in a family shop you should try [[The Treasure House by Linda Newbery]].  For more stories about families and friendship for this age group I would recommend titles by [[:Category:Jean Ure|Jean Ure]]. 

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