Wait Like a Seed
Erin Alladin, illus. by Tara Anderson. Pajama, $18.95 (32p) ISBN 978-1-77278-338-4
Building from the title, a series of cheering quatrains trace the life cycle of a milkweed plant from seed to root, sprout, leaves, bud, flower, and pod. Beneath each spread-opening poem, a realistic green line drawing tracks the plant’s development, while facing pages feature full-bleed scenes—gently rendered in colored pencil and pastels—of pale-skinned children enjoying the outdoors across activities and weather. Declarative second-person verse and friendly renderings combine for an effect that communicates guidance about growing up as much as about cultivating plants: “Reach like a sprout,/ Straight and high./ Reach like a sprout/ ’Til you see the sky” accompanies the image of a pigtailed child swinging in front of a bright blue background. Science-focused back matter includes life cycle information, a glossary, and further facts. Ages 4–8. (Apr.)
Details
Reviewed on: 01/30/2025
Genre: Children's