A Rose Named Peace: How Francis Meilland Created a Flower of Hope for a World at War by Barbara Carroll Roberts

Abstract

Reviewed by: A Rose Named Peace: How Francis Meilland Created a Flower of Hope for a World at War by Barbara Carroll Roberts Elizabeth Bush Roberts, Barbara Carroll A Rose Named Peace: How Francis Meilland Created a Flower of Hope for a World at War; illus. by Bagram Ibatoulline. Candlewick, 2022 [48p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781536208436 $18.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R 6-8 yrs The Meillands' farm in southern France had belonged to the family for generations, and from his boyhood Francis Meilland wanted to make it his life. With a particular interest in the rose-growing operation that supplied gardeners throughout Europe, Francis turned his hand to cultivation, patiently cross-pollinating plants for beauty, and pest-and weather-resistance. He eventually sent his 3-35-40 (a conventional reference to cross-breeding details) rose out into the world, all the way to an American grower, Robert Pyle. Before he could ascertain that Pyle had received the shipment, World War II broke out, and the Meillands plowed under most of their roses to raise food. Francis's pink-edged cream and yellow rose, however, was spreading abroad, resilient in many countries and climates, and Pyle patented the rose and set aside the royalties, which were turned over to the Meillands to restore their farm after the war. Roberts offers a truly multi-disciplinary slice of history [End Page 260] with child-accessible discussion of the aesthetic, scientific, and business aspects of 3-35-40's ascent, woven together with the uplifting subplot of how it acquired its name, Peace Rose. Ibatoulline's near-photorealistic watercolors, set into oversized trim, are well-suited to classroom sharing as well as leisurely examination. Additional notes, a glossary, and bibliography are appended. Copyright © 2022 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois