The Orchid and the Dandelion cover art

The Orchid and the Dandelion

Why Sensitive People Struggle and How All Can Thrive

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The Orchid and the Dandelion

By: Dr W. Thomas Boyce
Narrated by: Fred Sanders, Philippa Perry
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About this listen

Why do some children succeed and others struggle? Why are some people’s lives filled with satisfaction and happiness and others with frustration and despair? Why do some people die young while others live into healthy old age? Is it simply chance and luck, or are there early patterns of development revealing potentially determinative pathways into bounty or calamity?

In The Orchid and the Dandelion, Dr W. Thomas Boyce - one of the world’s foremost researchers in the field of paediatric health - presents findings that children have two very different responses to their environments. While some children are like dandelions and can thrive in almost any environment, there are others who, like orchids, are much more reactive and susceptible to their surroundings. Now we finally have a scientific framework to understand these children and how to address their unique needs to help them find their fullest potential.

This groundbreaking audiobook draws on extensive research, examples and real stories that will reframe how we think about orchid and dandelion children and the adults those children have become.

©2018 Dr W. Thomas Boyce (P)2018 Penguin Random House Child Psychology Children's Health Children's Studies Developmental Psychology Parenting & Families Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Social Sciences Mental Health

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Critic reviews

"The Orchid and the Dandelion is based on groundbreaking research that has the power to change the lives of countless children - and the adults who love them." (Susan Cain, New York Times best-selling author of Quiet)

"A necessary and important book." (Philippa Perry, Sunday Times best-selling author of The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read)
All stars
Most relevant  
Loved it. Very relevant to my situation. Made me understand my family and our youngest son. Very educational book

Great book

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As a parent, it was worth hanging in in through the first few harrowing chapters and realising the hope and possibility for orchids!

Heartfelt application of science to humanity and society.

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understand who you are, what you need and accept yourself and your past progressively.
As someone that always suspected they were a highly sensitive man and yet went through childhood thinking they were inadequate and inherently flawed, I am slowly coming to terms with my nature and therefore how I need to take care of myself and relate in a new way to experiencies in my childhood. The fact that this book exists is already a tremendous relief. I am wired differently , I have different needs, what works for some doesn't work for me. And that's okay. As an orchid, it is very damaging to compare yourself to dandelions, maybe more so as a male orchid where ideas of masculinity magnify the feeling of inadequacy. Thank you Thomas Boyce and your team, thank you for making us believe we are not necessarily flawed in today's overstimulating and sometimes superficial world.

an important book for all (esp. sensitive adults)

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Definitely worth a listen. I feel so much compassion for the author and what he’s been through.

Brilliant

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I work as a children's therapist and this book was incredibly enlightening for my practice. I have also recommended it to pretty much all parents I work with!

Absolutely brilliant

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Great for people dealing with young children and adolescents. Can also help you understand more about yourself, and why you can react the way you do.

Very interesting read

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The narrator is brilliant takes you straight into the reading content.
The book is an absolute mind blown, I'm delighted.

Brilliant

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Very thought provoking. Made be re-evaluate how my 12 year old daughter has felt, so far, growing up as an orchid.

Orchid or dandelion?

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Kept realising I wasn't listening. Really extremely boring. Says dandelion and Orchid far too much, like more than you would think considering that is what the book is about. Still don't really know what the point was and I've given up, it's very rambly, much like this review...

Difficult to listen to

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Good findings but could be half as short. Do not appreciate the last few chapters.

Lamarckism???

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