And strategies to empower.
The Proud Sunflower
The Proud Sunflower was published August 2020 and it is available for purchase, both in the Kindle Store and in paper back format. Listen to the story on the ppodcast and get your copy of the ebook for $3.99 or free with Kindle Unlimited.
Grab yours here
Below are editorial reviews of the book by The Readers Favaurite:
"The Proud Sunflower, a short story by Ngozi Edema, narrates the tale of Princess Sanzu, the most gorgeous sunflower on earth. All the other flowers adore her for her beauty and her loveable nature. As a kind-hearted flower, she shares her gifts with the birds. She also completes her chores diligently. Eventually, she becomes too self-absorbed and shuns her lifelong friends. Noticing this, the ever-watchful Sun decides to punish her. Stripped of her former glory, Princess Sanzu has to leave her homeland. Alone and friendless, a repentant Sanzu finally realizes her follies. With the help of the Moon, will she be able to restore her position among her friends? To find out, you have to read this amazing story.
The Proud Sunflower is a short and easy read that is suitable for children aged three to seven years. Use of simple words, brightly-colored illustrations, and an engaging storyline make this book appealing to the intended audience. I would commend the illustrator, Swapan Debnath, for capturing the emotions on the characters’ faces perfectly. Sanzu’s changing emotions throughout the story were evident in her expressions and postures. Also, the book has an educational value as it teaches readers to be kind and compassionate. Edema demonstrates why we should never give way to pride and selfishness. Instead of being mean-spirited to our friends and neighbors, we should love them wholeheartedly. The story of Princess Sanzu will impart the sense of friendship and camaraderie to young and impressionable minds. This is a great book that children can read by themselves or parents can read this aloud to them". Shrabastee Chakraborty: for Readers Favourite
"The Proud Sunflower by Ngozi Edema is set in the Sunflower Kingdom, where Sunflower Princess Sanzu lives. She is very happy and loved by all the other flowers, but this story has a subtle message because Princess Sanzu changes from the girl who treats everyone well and cares about them. She is praised so often that she begins to feel superior. She becomes mean to the other flowers and makes them unhappy, and she becomes nastier even though they tell her she is making them sad. Any child reading or listening to Princess Sanzu’s story cannot fail to see that being unkind to friends will make them lonely. Worse, the Sunflower Kingdom is ruled by the sun, and Princess Sanzu’s bad behavior has made him angry! The Proud Sunflower is a picture book superbly illustrated by Swapan Depnath, even down to the expressions on the faces of Sunflower Princess Sanzu, assorted colorful flowers, the sun, and the moon. The story, written by Ngozi Edema, provides a meaningful bedtime tale for young children, and it is perfectly presented for older children to read at home or in the classroom. It includes challenging words such as magnificent, wrapped, delicious, and beautiful, but with a little help at first, most are repeated often and would be learned. Best of all, it contains a moral, and it has a happy ending essential for young children’s books if they are to be enjoyed and reread. The Proud Sunflower by Ngozi Edema deserves a place in every child’s library." Sarah Stuart Readers Favourite.
Now you can listen to the story on my podcast.
Below is the original story when it was first broadcated on storytelling with Ngozi:
Princess Sanzu the Sunflower Princess was loved by all the other flowers. She looked after them by giving them are snacks and oil. Even the birds, benefited with great feasts with the Princess.
Suddenly, everything changed, and the once-friendly Princess became mean to the other flowers. Were the other flowers surprised that their Princess is no longer the kind, generous and helpful Princess she once was? Absolutely! Listen to the rest of the story.
This Week's Activity With "The
Proud Sunflower" Story
Here at storytelling with Ngozi we encourage to draw pictures of the characters from the story of the week. And if they can write giving their twist helps them develop their writing and imaginative skills.
My seven-year-old daughter, Tuoyo gave me her own twist. She does not like what happened to the Sunflower as she loves Sunflowers.
So she wants me to rewrite the ending and say the Sunflower Princess was forgiven because she started treating the other flowers nicely again. I love her twist to the story as forgiveness is a good thing. Perhaps we may highlight that point in another story.
What do you think of the proud sunflower? What could the Princess have done differently? Can you think of anything the other flowers could have done to make her treat them the way she did?
It is the time of the year when different flowers are coming out, so bring out your colour pencils and draw pictures of the flowers you can find around you. Add as many details as you can. I will love to see them. So, please fill in the box below.
Children are welcome to read at storytelling with Ngozi. If your child would like to read us a story, email us at storytelling@ngoziedema.com .
And finally, if you have enjoyed this story head over to iTunes to rate, review and subscribe to this podcast and please come back next Monday for another episode of storytelling with Ngozi.
Have A Picture Or Story To Share?
Did you enjoy the story of the proud princess and have a picture or story to share? Please share it here!
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