Paper-Flower Girl

By Margrete Lamond & Mateja Jager
Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray

Honour book 2024 CBCA Picture Book of the Year

Paper-Flower Girl is a work-of-art type of picture book that captivates with abstract, fantastical imagery. Slovenian-born artist Mateja Jager’s restrained colour palette and other worldly characterisation make for a unique aesthetic experience that stands out against its peers in the Australian publishing market. Margrete Lamond has worked in many roles across the publishing industry and has a deep interest in picture book science. It’s a formidable pairing and a complex end product, which, though stunning, might be best appreciated by older readers, even adults, rather than young children.

The paper-flower girl lives on the plain, and spends her days folding, interlacing and unfurling wonderous origami-esque floral creations. High above, on the hill, in the tower, lives the giant, whose life is grey and ordinary. The giant demands the paper-flower girl come and work for him. But as she toils he declares each creation too fancy, too clever, too quiet. Eventually the girl compromises so much that she no longer recognises her creations as her own. The giant tires of her efforts and flings her back to the plain, where she makes better flowers than ever, while he attempts (and fails) to make flashy imitations.

There are many possible interpretations of the story, particularly given the allusive, poetic writing. This is a ‘be careful what you wish for’ story, and a ‘be true to yourself’ story. It’s an ‘art for art’s sake’ story, and a ‘personal journey’ story. It requires reading and re-reading with time to dwell on the connotations of every perfectly placed word and dainty, decorative petal. An original book to savour, or a perfect gift for anyone struggling with their own life journey, especially creatively.

Teacher’s Notes
Dirt Lane Press 2023
Margrete Lamond

Lara Cain Gray’s book The Grown Up’s Guide To Picture Books is being published in September this year.