Sylvie Sunflower

By Alicia Bay Laurel

Sylvie Sunflower is a children's book about life on a hippie commune in the late 1960s, featuring the title character, who gives the reader a tour of her home, family and neighbors. Published by Harper & Row in 1973.

The book was centerfolded in Ms. Magazine's Stories for Free Children, curated by Lety Cottin Pogrebin, in 1973. It was released in Japanese translation by Shoshisha Ltd. in 1974.

It is part of a boxed set of three coloring books, the other two of which are The Family of Families and Happy Day, Cried the Rainbow Lady, Full of Light. The boxed set was also published by Soshisha.

In the 21st century, Sylvie Sunflower is often studied as part of university counterculture programs, both for its lifestyle elements, and its early second wave feminist content.