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kierscrivener's review against another edition
4.0
Nineteen year old Ono write and illustrated wrote this telling a story of flowers that were invisible too anyone who didn't pay attention. Set against the backdrop of World War II, it shows a story of hope and creativity and finding beauty in unusual places.
and strangely enough she named the person who could glimpse behind the curtain John, this was ten years prior to her meeting her husband and John is a ubiquitous name but a beautiful coincidence
Many will find this childish and simple, but despite this it drew me in and made me think deeply because of it's simplicity and in moments of nuance she shows beauty and others say that it isn't about talent or eloquence to tell a meaningful and creative story.
secrethistory's review against another edition
4.0
I have to confess, I don't really care for Yoko Ono. Sometimes I think she has good ideas, and other times she annoys me. I saw this book in the new section of the library, and was surprisingly pleased I checked it out. It's a very short book with only a few words every other page, about a flower that nobody but Smelty John (almost) sees, but improves the world in various ways. This could obviously be a metaphor for many things, but the introduction and afterward make it fairly clear the invisible flower is Ono herself. It was written ten years before Ono met John Lennon, so Sean Lennon and his mother believe Smelty John to be a prophesy of sorts.
I think the artwork is rather hit or miss. Some pages look juvenile and scribbled, but others look graceful and Eastern. The book is printed beautifully, though. It looks as though if you'd run your fingers over the pages, the drawings would smear. If you're looking for a sweet, extremely quick read and are okay with Yoko Ono's rather mystical language, give the book a go.