The Bear and the Seed (A Poonam Mistry Fable)

Via ornately patterned artwork and mythic storytelling, Mistry presents a beautifully packaged eco-tale of nature’s resilience. When clear-cutting destroys a “magical and ever growing” forest, and resident animals begin to leave, “Bear’s heart was overcome with grief.” Discovering a seed nestled in the grass, the protagonist solicits advice from various creatures about how to encourage growth. Worm advises, “Place it deep in the earth. The soil is a warm, cozy blanket”; Frog suggests adding water; and Bird proposes “a special song.” Eventually a sprout emerges, which the ursid meticulously tends until his need to hibernate kicks in. Upon waking in spring, Bear makes a predictable but no less joyous discovery, and closing pages center on further opportunities for caretaking. Folksy digital illustrations incorporate geometric motifs such as dots, zigzags, and mandala-like detailing for an immersive effect that elevates this earnest fable. Ages 3–7. (Aug.)