Book Review: The Yellow Rose by Dawn Colclasure
July 20, 2011 by Lillie
The Yellow Rose by Dawn Colclasure
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is delightful little story for children that adults will enjoy as well. It also teaches a valuable lesson about love and beauty.
My only qualm is that it may inadvertently teach another less desirable lesson: that making money is evil. I’m not sure that is what the author intended, and a short book for children can’t be too nuanced. However, that’s what I came away with based on the portrayals of the gardener and the salesmen.
It’s still a good read.
Disclosure: I received an electronic advance reading copy of the book from the author. I have not accepted any compensation for this review and made no commitment to give a favorable review. The link to Amazon.com is an affiliate link.
Hi Lillie. Thank you so much for reviewing my book, The Yellow Rose. I’m so thrilled it is reviewed on A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye. Thank you for taking the time. I’m glad you liked the story. And you are correct: That was not my message, as far as making money is concerned. I am all for earning a living and making some money. My main point here is that the salesmen allowed their greed to get the better of them. Their greed blinded them to the rose’s fragile condition. So, “greed is bad” was my message here.
Thanks again for the review! Take care.
Dawn,
I agree with the “greed is bad” message, and I agree that it came through very well in the story. I guess it was just the clear-cut dichotomy that caught my attention. If one of the salesmen had been a good guy–or even someone who had ambivalent feelings–it would have seemed a little more balanced to me. I know you didn’t say making money is bad, but the only people making money in the story were the evil people. So I just wondered if children may make the leap to think that making money is bad because the only people making money were bad. Perhaps I’m making a mountain out of a molehill.
Hi Lillie,
Thanks,for reading and reviewing The Yellow Rose.
Isn’t it interesting how each of us can have a different interpretation, even when we read the same story? The men in the story taking the rose on tour and making money with it was fine. Ignoring what is happening to the living parts of the exhibition – well, we all know people who do this. Circuses are wonderful unless they don’t care for the people and animals that make up the show.
Sadly, our messages can be lost in the swirl of words and today’s culture. It truly is a good read and Dawn is a special lady.
Sincerely,
Denise
Denise,
I’m more concerned about how children might interpret the story than in how it came across to me. But I agree that Dawn is a special lady and the book is a good read!
I have read the review and the story of the Yellow Rose is very good. A gardener on an island with his yellow rose… I like this idea
Marius,
Hope you get the book and read it.
Nice story. Comprehensible and its something to learn also. Its like asking the question, ” What is that thing you value most?” Hoping to have a copy this book. =)
Zara,
You summarized the message very well. Hope you get and read it also.
So many of my clients were told that “money is evil” as children. Unfortunately, that was stored in their subconscious mind. As adults, that belief is at the core of their “financial belief system” and, in short, in charge of their financial present and financial future. Although this belief system is only “in their mind,” it governs their money reality in the external world. They will continue to have this belief system for the rest of their
life unless something changes within them.
Rachel,
The Bible says “the love of money is the root of evil,” but many people think it says, “money is the root of evil.” We certainly should value many other things besides–and even more than–money, but money itself is essential for us to take care of ourselves, and we can use money to do many good things.
I’ve been wanting to read this book for awhile. Thanks for the review!
Joelyn,
No time like the present.
I’m not yet familiar with the story however based on its brief summary it implies about the character of a person teaching a lesson not to be voracious in money that makes person often times to show his/her wickedness. The story is very relevant to all since it has a good bearing and encourage us to be a moral person. Personally, I’m also being reminded of this story.Thank you for the good lesson of your story.
Julius,
I hope Dawn reads your comment and thanks. It’s her story–not mine. I just wrote the review of her book.
I really appreciate that you have shared the story of Dawn.I believe that those who are familiar with that story got good learning and practice this in their own lives.I will be grateful if she reads my comments.
Thanks, Julius.
Hi, Julius. Thank you for your comment. I appreciate your thoughts about my story. Unfortunately, that is not the moral I was trying to convey. It is a story of how greed can blind us to true beauty. The gardener in this story loves his yellow rose dearly even when the rose is dying and no longer beautiful, but the greedy men in the story see the rose as ugly and since it cannot make them anymore money, they want to destroy it instead of appreciating the rose for the beauty that is hidden within. I hope this helps.
Dawn,
I’m sure my review led to confusion; however, to give an honest review, I felt I had to mention my concern that the message could be misconstrued. Other people may not have the same reaction, and I hope gets my message that the book is worth reading.
Brief and straight to the point review, I like it. Well, I am a fan of yellow flowers and rose is a lovely one. Also, I enjoy reading books that are both pleasant to kids and adults, they always have a good values to learn from.
Jane,
Sounds like you would enjoy this book.
I think the whole world is concerned with love and beauty.If we take its eternal meaning meaning we can enjoy a lot.By review I can say that this book has readable stuff.
Smith,
Love and beauty are good things to be concerned about.
4 of 5 stars must be good. I’ll check this out, Lillie. Thank you for the review.
Darin,
It’s a nice little children’s story that many adults also enjoy.
Hi Lillie,
It’s good to visit your blog site. Personally, I have no knowledge about this story but after reading some of the comments I found out that it talks of greediness which caused for the man in the story to appreciate the real beauty of the gardener’s rose. How inspiring for in real situation it often happens to us. For instance, being greedy in money causes for many to destroy and disregard the true beauty of creatures.
Matt,
Yes, the book teaches a good lesson about greed and beauty.
I never read this book but I got interested when it tells about the story of love and beauty. Hope I could get this soon.
Jerry,
Hope you enjoy it.