Where Have All the Flower Girls Gone? They're Exploring Teamwork in Series
June, as much as it is celebrated for bringing warm weather, is wedding month. With that designation come celebrations, tears, and drama—and, for young ladies lucky enough to be asked, the duties of flower girls. Lynelle Woolley’s children’s book series, Flower Girl World, celebrates that job in particular, by focusing on a diverse group of young girls whose positions in weddings present them with unique challenges and opportunities.
Most of all, Flower Girl World seeks to give young readers a means of exploring teamwork, quick thinking, and engagement with other people and cultures, taking what seems like an idyllic situation beyond pretty dresses and ceremonial duties, and into a meaningful context where lessons may last a lifetime. I asked Lynelle about her empowering children’s series, to which new titles are soon to be added.
Your cast includes a wide range of interests and family backgrounds—but they all love being flower girls! What is it about weddings that you think all readers can identify with?
Lynelle Woolley. 'It was important to me that [my daughter] be exposed to diverse, strong, and talented characters.'
Weddings are beautiful, happy occasions, but in the case of Flower Girl World, weddings are the backdrop to stories about strong, smart girls. At the time that I began writing the Flower Girl World series, my daughter was reading a lot of princess and fairy books that didn’t promote an empowering message. As a mom, it was important to me that she be exposed to diverse, strong, and talented characters who learn valuable lessons, build friendships, and solve problems. Flower girls may look like princesses, but their role requires responsibility and courage. The wedding aspect may draw a reader’s interest, but hopefully the child will gain something even richer by reading the book.
Flower Girl World is very interactive; not only do you have books, but you have a connected website. Can you tell us what the inspiration was behind this multifaceted venture?
My daughter was a flower girl three times. As you can imagine, we both became flower girl experts by the last wedding, but at the beginning, we didn’t know what to expect, nor did the brides. There was no centralized place to get information and advice – so I decided to create it. Being asked to be a wedding attendant is a huge honor and milestone. I’ve spoken to so many women who remember and treasure their time as a flower girl. The goal of Flower Girl World is to guide parents and brides through the process and give them to the tools to elevate the experience.
At FlowerGirlWorld.com, moms and brides can get tips, tricks, and inspiration, while girls can enjoy flower-themed activities, crafts, videos, and more.
The Flower Girl World Celebration Kit is a gift that will enrich her experience from beginning to end. It includes picture book, Camellia the Fabulous Flower Girl, chapter book, Rosie and the Wedding Day Rescue, plus practice petals and basket, activity book, memory book, official certificate, and more.
At the heart of Flower Girl World is the book series, which is inspired by the stories I told my daughter while she was a wedding attendant. Not every girl will be asked to be a flower girl, so the books open the experience to any young reader, as they introduce new customs and cultures through exciting adventures.
Can you tell us a little bit about Markelle Media and the process of bringing the Flower Girl World books to press?
Fortunately, my background of leading editorial and creative teams at MGM and New Line Cinema was a huge plus in establishing a media company. Markelle Media is the exclusive publisher and licensor of Flower Girl World. The books are distributed domestically by IPG, who has been invaluable to the success of the series. In order to compete as a small publisher, it’s essential to surround oneself with experienced talent and to take advantage of emerging marketing opportunities and technologies. The industry continues to shift rapidly and it’s important to be flexible and open to changes as they happen.
Starr and the High Seas Wedding Drama contains several significant lessons, but the most important may relate to embracing new family dynamics. What can new families learn from Starr and Ivy?
Starr and Ivy are thrust together when their grandparents decide to marry. The two girls quickly recognize their own differences and project their concerns onto the older couple, deciding that everyone will be better off if they break up. But after plenty of misguided mishaps, the girls come to realize that people can have different interests and ethnicities and still have meaningful relationships. It is a significant lesson, but because this is a children’s book, that message tucked into a fun and colorful story.
What is the best advice that you can impart to young flower girls, and the adults helping them along?
Don’t take it too seriously. A flower girl may or may not make it down the aisle per the plan, but it’s all part of the joy of the day.
Can you give us a peek at any new Flower Girl World stories coming up?
The beauty of this series is that the storylines are endless. I have plans for new flower girl characters who code, explore foreign countries, and care for animals and the environment. There will be a haunted wedding in New Orleans, a missing wedding tiara in London, a rodeo wedding in Wyoming, and so much more. I love my job! I get to dream up fun scenarios for young girls to experience at weddings. It’s a very happy way to spend my days.
Michelle Anne Schingler is associate editor at Foreword Reviews. You can follow her on Twitter @mschingler or e-mail her at mschingler@forewordreviews.com.
Michelle Anne Schingler
