September Roses

Two South African sisters arrive in New York City on September 11, 2001, bringing thousands of roses for a flower show. Their journey coincides with the events that would change the city and the world. Stranded in Manhattan, the sisters find themselves with a cargo of roses and nowhere to go. What follows is an account of how strangers come together during a crisis, told through spare text and Winter's signature illustration style. The true story shows how beauty and human connection emerge even in dark moments. Through simple yet impactful storytelling, September Roses demonstrates how small acts of kindness ripple outward during times of upheaval.

Readers appreciate how this 9/11-themed children's book handles difficult subject matter with sensitivity and hope. Many parents and teachers note it serves as an effective discussion starter with young children about September 11th. Readers highlight the simple yet impactful artwork and praise how the story focuses on an act of kindness rather than tragedy. A librarian on Goodreads wrote: "The spare text and black-and-white illustrations punctuated by red roses tell the story without being overwhelming." Some readers found the narrative too brief and wanted more detail about the events and characters. A few noted the book may be too abstract for very young children to grasp the historical context. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (244 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (29 ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (21 ratings) The book received the 2005 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor for nonfiction.

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🌹 The story is based on actual events that occurred after 9/11, when two South African flower growers arrived in New York City with 2,400 roses for a flower show, only to be stranded after the terrorist attacks. 🗽 The sisters in the story used their roses to create a memorial in Union Square, arranging them in the shape of two towers to honor those lost in the World Trade Center. ✈️ Author Jeanette Winter was inspired to write this book after seeing the rose memorial herself while walking through Union Square in the days following 9/11. 🎨 The book uses a unique artistic style with minimal colors—primarily black, white, and red—which creates a stark, powerful visual impact reflecting the somber mood of the events. 🌺 While the book addresses the tragedy of 9/11, it focuses on how beauty and kindness can emerge from darkness, making it accessible for younger readers while dealing with difficult subject matter.