Here Are the Seeds

by JaNay Brown-Wood, Olivia Amoah

Overview

Two children learn the ins and outs of growing a garden from seeds.

Through rhythmic storytelling, award-winning author and poet JaNay Brown-Wood follows two children as they grow a garden from seeds. Told as a cumulative tale, similar to “The House That Jack Built,” the story starts promisingly: “Here are the seeds that we will sow to help our garden grow.” But as time passes, the children learn that things rarely go as planned in the garden. Do they — and Mother Nature — have what it takes to turn things around?

This perfectly delightful story is sure to plant a smile on readers’ faces!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781525313448
Publisher:	Kids Can Press
Publication date:	05/07/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	50 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

JaNay Brown-Wood is an award-winning author, poet, educator and scholar. She is the author of Imani’s Moon, Amara’s Farm and Miguel’s Community Garden, among other books for young readers. JaNay is a professor of early childhood education at California State University. She lives with her family near Sacramento, California. 

Olivia Amoah is a children’s book illustrator with a background in animation. She is the illustrator of Vanessa Nakate, written by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara (Little People, BIG DREAMS series). Through her art, Olivia aims to create humorous stories that serve as a connection to her African heritage. She lives with her dog, Penny, in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Editorial Reviews

... a preschooler-friendly spring tale. An enticing seasonal read-aloud.—Kirkus Reviews

A wonderful book for both home and school libraries.—Children's Literature

From the Publisher

2024-02-17
Two children nurture a thriving ecosystem.

In this cumulative tale, two Black-presenting kids follow the journey of the seeds they’ve planted. They discover that they need sun, water, and the support of helpers such as mushrooms and worms for their seedlings to grow and eventually “GLOW!” The repeated phrasing (“Here are the seeds / that we will sow,” “Here is the earth / that nurtures the seeds / that we have sown”) allows little readers to easily follow along and remember the steps to foster seed growth. A few pages halt the rhythmic pace as the narrator declares, “OH NO!” At these pauses, readers can use the illustrations to determine what is impeding the seeds from growing (parched earth, flooding) and perhaps even predict what the garden needs (more water, mushrooms to help soak up excess water). The children have expressive faces that exhibit a range of emotions: curiosity, concern, surprise, confusion, and joy. Backmatter explains the different elements—soil, plants, bugs, sun—that help a garden survive and thrive. The repetitive text and cumulative storytelling, along with the bright, inviting illustrations, make for a preschooler-friendly spring tale.

An enticing seasonal read-aloud. (Picture book. 3-5)

Kirkus Reviews