Flora and Ulysses (2015) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

There is no sexual content or nudity included in this whimsical children's novel. The narrative focuses entirely on the oddball friendships and the innocent bond between a girl and her magical squirrel, Ulysses. Even in the case of Flora’s mother, who writes romance novels, the focus is on the absurdity of her work rather than any actual romantic or sexual encounters. The relationships portrayed are purely platonic, familial, or centered around the growth of the characters' self-esteem and empathy. Younger readers…

The book contains brief, cartoonish peril and comedic slapstick that serves the fantastical plot. A squirrel is accidentally sucked into a high-powered vacuum cleaner, which serves as a humorous origin story for his powers rather than a serious injury. Additional tension arises from Phyllis’s repeated verbal threats to have the squirrel removed or harmed, even suggesting her husband put it in a sack and hit it with a shovel. Later, Ulysses is chased by a giant, angry cat named Mr. Klaus in an apartment hallway…

No profanity, crude language, or insults appear throughout this story. The author uses sophisticated vocabulary and a quirky, formal tone that is appropriate for middle-grade readers without any reliance on coarse words. Instead of swear words, characters express themselves through humorous exclamations like 'Holy bagumba!' or 'Cynic!' The dialogue is clever and focuses on the eccentric personalities of Flora and her neighbors. The absence of traditional profanity makes it an excellent choice for a wide range of…

This story is completely free of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal substance use. The characters engage in eccentric behaviors and comic-book-inspired adventures that do not involve adult substances or references. Much of the action revolves around eating cheese puffs and poetry, which are the main 'vices' mentioned in the narrative. The focus remains on the imaginative world of superheroes and the emotional inner lives of the protagonists. There are no scenes set in bars or situations where drugs are discussed even in…

Themes of divorce, loneliness, hope, and unlikely friendship are told with humor and heart. Flora deals with the emotional fallout of her parents' separation, feeling like her mother loves a shepherdess lamp more than her daughter. The concept of 'cynicism' is explored as a defense mechanism against being hurt by the people who should love her. Through Ulysses and the blind boy William Spiver, Flora learns to embrace vulnerability and the possibility of the 'impossible.' The story ultimately emphasizes the…