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If You Plant a Seed
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Picture Books (2015)Kadir Nelson, acclaimed author of Baby Bear and winner of the Caldecott Honor and the Coretta Scott King Author and Illustrator Awards, presents a resonant, gently humorous story about the power of even the smallest acts and the rewards of compassion and generosity.
With spare text and breathtaking oil paintings, If You Plant a Seed demonstrates not only the process of planting and growing for young children but also how a seed of kindness can bear sweet fruit.
With spare text and breathtaking oil paintings, If You Plant a Seed demonstrates not only the process of planting and growing for young children but also how a seed of kindness can bear sweet fruit.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 3, 2015
35 people are currently reading
2385 people want to read
About the author
Kadir Nelson
61 books309 followersKadir Nelson is a Los Angeles–based painter, illustrator, and author who is best known for his paintings often featured on the covers of The New Yorker magazine, and album covers for Michael Jackson and Drake. His work is focused on African-American culture and history.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 674 reviews
June 13, 2023
Why I chose to read this book:
A fellow teacher colleague gifted me this book when her youngest daughter was enrolled in my Grade 3 class during the school year 2015-2016. They also wrote a lovely inscription inside.
Praises:
Recently, I read this book aloud to a Grade 1 class that I was substitute teaching. Here are their thoughts:
- "I like stories about kindness and sharing."
- "The pictures are big and colorful and beautiful!"
- "I liked how the mouse gave a tomato to the bird."
- "I liked how the animals worked together."
- "I liked the happy ending."
Niggle:
One student felt uncomfortable about the "harsh" feelings the animals had towards each other before they finally worked out their problem.
Overall Thoughts:
A beautifully illustrated picture book showcasing various woodland animals celebrating hard work and generosity. Perfect for ages 4 to 7!
A fellow teacher colleague gifted me this book when her youngest daughter was enrolled in my Grade 3 class during the school year 2015-2016. They also wrote a lovely inscription inside.
Praises:
Recently, I read this book aloud to a Grade 1 class that I was substitute teaching. Here are their thoughts:
- "I like stories about kindness and sharing."
- "The pictures are big and colorful and beautiful!"
- "I liked how the mouse gave a tomato to the bird."
- "I liked how the animals worked together."
- "I liked the happy ending."
Niggle:
One student felt uncomfortable about the "harsh" feelings the animals had towards each other before they finally worked out their problem.
Overall Thoughts:
A beautifully illustrated picture book showcasing various woodland animals celebrating hard work and generosity. Perfect for ages 4 to 7!
December 6, 2015
A rabbit and a rat plant a garden.
Some people will argue that this is a mouse, but I prefer rats so it's going to be a rat in my review. Capische?
So this is one of those "sharing" books that makes me uncomfortable (along with The Giving Tree and The Rainbow Fish).
A rabbit and a rat plant a garden. It grows food and they are happy. Then a whole bunch of various birds come along and want to eat the food. The rabbit and rat refuse to give them food. So the birds go to war with the rat and the rabbit. Everyone ends up sad in a pile of ruined food.
Then the rat gives a tomato to the birds. The rat and rabbit "share" food with the birds. And in the end, the birds seed to garden aerially so that there is a really big prosperous garden in the end.
Let's break it down:
THE GOOD:
- Gorgeous oil-on-canvas illustrations of just barely anthropomorphic animals.
- Features a rat, extra points.
- The end message of the book: "Let's work together to make a better future" is a good one.
However. I have qualms about what goes down in the book.
THE BAD:
- ONE: What right do these fucking birds have to the food that the rat and the rabbit grew together? No fucking right. YOU, the child, the human, the individual, do NOT have to "share" your belongings - especially ones you worked hard to earn - with every scrub who comes along asking you for them. Hmmmmm? That's not "sharing," that's a communist state.
Rat and Rabbit have worked hard to grow their garden. It is their CHOICE whether to share their food with the birds or not. The birds going to war with Rat and Rabbit are behaving badly. We don't attack people who refuse to "share" their hard-earned goods with us. This is not a good message.
All the food is ruined and no one gets to eat. The book tries to say this is Rat and Rabbit's fault. It is NOT. They have a right to eat all the food they grew themselves. The birds have no right to demand the rodents' food.
The book claims that the rat and the rabbit not sharing their food is "selfish." This is bullshit. You are not "selfish" to want to keep the food you worked hard to grow and invested time and money in.
Now. I'm all for showing mercy and teaching children to be merciful and compassionate. However, I am not on board with how this is demonstrated in this book. You have a right to say "no." You have a right to stand up for yourself. This is important to teach children.
Okay, actually that was my only complaint. BUT IT WAS A BIG ONE. I'm taking off a whole star for that.
Tl;dr - Great illustrations, good ending. I think Nelson really botched the plotline, though. I do NOT agree with teaching children to be passive or teaching children that they don't have a right to their own property. If children CHOOSE to share and be compassionate and merciful, that should of course be encouraged, but I don't believe in "forced sharing."
I'm going to read this to children and then have a talk with them about what is a communist state and your rights as a citizen of a democracy. *nod nod* Children will be like: O.O
Appropriate ages 0-4.
Some people will argue that this is a mouse, but I prefer rats so it's going to be a rat in my review. Capische?
So this is one of those "sharing" books that makes me uncomfortable (along with The Giving Tree and The Rainbow Fish).
A rabbit and a rat plant a garden. It grows food and they are happy. Then a whole bunch of various birds come along and want to eat the food. The rabbit and rat refuse to give them food. So the birds go to war with the rat and the rabbit. Everyone ends up sad in a pile of ruined food.
Then the rat gives a tomato to the birds. The rat and rabbit "share" food with the birds. And in the end, the birds seed to garden aerially so that there is a really big prosperous garden in the end.
Let's break it down:
THE GOOD:
- Gorgeous oil-on-canvas illustrations of just barely anthropomorphic animals.
- Features a rat, extra points.
- The end message of the book: "Let's work together to make a better future" is a good one.
However. I have qualms about what goes down in the book.
THE BAD:
- ONE: What right do these fucking birds have to the food that the rat and the rabbit grew together? No fucking right. YOU, the child, the human, the individual, do NOT have to "share" your belongings - especially ones you worked hard to earn - with every scrub who comes along asking you for them. Hmmmmm? That's not "sharing," that's a communist state.
Rat and Rabbit have worked hard to grow their garden. It is their CHOICE whether to share their food with the birds or not. The birds going to war with Rat and Rabbit are behaving badly. We don't attack people who refuse to "share" their hard-earned goods with us. This is not a good message.
All the food is ruined and no one gets to eat. The book tries to say this is Rat and Rabbit's fault. It is NOT. They have a right to eat all the food they grew themselves. The birds have no right to demand the rodents' food.
The book claims that the rat and the rabbit not sharing their food is "selfish." This is bullshit. You are not "selfish" to want to keep the food you worked hard to grow and invested time and money in.
Now. I'm all for showing mercy and teaching children to be merciful and compassionate. However, I am not on board with how this is demonstrated in this book. You have a right to say "no." You have a right to stand up for yourself. This is important to teach children.
Okay, actually that was my only complaint. BUT IT WAS A BIG ONE. I'm taking off a whole star for that.
Tl;dr - Great illustrations, good ending. I think Nelson really botched the plotline, though. I do NOT agree with teaching children to be passive or teaching children that they don't have a right to their own property. If children CHOOSE to share and be compassionate and merciful, that should of course be encouraged, but I don't believe in "forced sharing."
I'm going to read this to children and then have a talk with them about what is a communist state and your rights as a citizen of a democracy. *nod nod* Children will be like: O.O
Appropriate ages 0-4.
June 21, 2020
The pictures in here are AMAZING!!!
The text is overly simple, but I think that would be great for very young readers.
The text is overly simple, but I think that would be great for very young readers.
April 2, 2015
I find myself very conflicted by this book.
The illustrations are beautiful - I have no qualms about this at all. I smiled, I laughed, I did all the things you're supposed to do with a wonderfully illustrated picture book.
But the message.
The rabbit and the mouse planted their seeds, and took care of them, and did all the work while they grew - and when the birds suddenly show up demanding their share, the rabbit and mouse are suddenly selfish for not handing over the goods? They deserve the fight that ensued, and to lose all their food? That doesn't seem right.
And when the rabbit and mouse decide to share, and say "yes, you can have our veggies," then - and only then - do the birds suddenly want to pitch in and help grow more. That's not how bullies work, and I don't want my kids or any other Very Young Ones to think that if someone shows up demanding their hard work, then they should just give in out of "kindness."
It seems there are a few very important conversations that got left out of the book.
The illustrations are beautiful - I have no qualms about this at all. I smiled, I laughed, I did all the things you're supposed to do with a wonderfully illustrated picture book.
But the message.
The rabbit and the mouse planted their seeds, and took care of them, and did all the work while they grew - and when the birds suddenly show up demanding their share, the rabbit and mouse are suddenly selfish for not handing over the goods? They deserve the fight that ensued, and to lose all their food? That doesn't seem right.
And when the rabbit and mouse decide to share, and say "yes, you can have our veggies," then - and only then - do the birds suddenly want to pitch in and help grow more. That's not how bullies work, and I don't want my kids or any other Very Young Ones to think that if someone shows up demanding their hard work, then they should just give in out of "kindness."
It seems there are a few very important conversations that got left out of the book.
December 7, 2015
I read a review copy at work when I had the title in a cart to buy. Gorgeous illustrations! However, the message seemed pretty heavy handed and preachy and I was disappointed by the lack of subtlety. The stunning illustrations cannot make up for the thundering message to treat seeds as opportunities in life to be kind and sharing. There is nothing wrong with the message. It is one kids need to hear. However, they don't need to be hit over the head with the message. This is probably the biggest miss I have seen from Nelson. But the illustrations are absolutely stunning. Too bad the text wasn't better.
Addendum: I just took a look at some other reviews and felt I should add that the message wasn't just heavy handed, it was questionable. As others have pointed out, the birds are bullies in this book. Yes, we all know birds will eat seeds of veggies but these birds are charging in as an army and just grabbing the food. I have to agree, the message that the animals are greedy for not wanting to share food they raised to bullies who just grab without asking is just wrong.
Addendum: I just took a look at some other reviews and felt I should add that the message wasn't just heavy handed, it was questionable. As others have pointed out, the birds are bullies in this book. Yes, we all know birds will eat seeds of veggies but these birds are charging in as an army and just grabbing the food. I have to agree, the message that the animals are greedy for not wanting to share food they raised to bullies who just grab without asking is just wrong.
March 4, 2015
Gorgeous & clever illustrations accompany a sweet story with a simple message. Loved it!
November 10, 2015
Being kind changes lives. This wonderful book demonstrates this life affirming message in a beautiful and creative way.
March 3, 2015
Stunning illustration and a simple, wise message.
August 7, 2020
A beautiful book! I liked the pictures better than the text, which was a bit heavy-handed.
August 29, 2018
Really sweet story about the importance of sharing with beautiful painted illustrations. Monarch 2019 nominee.
March 13, 2015
For many years every spring the classrooms would be filled with bouquets of daffodils. A retired teacher, a life-long resident of the community, had huge expanses of her property planted in daffodils. Passersby often believed they were looking at a vast yellow carpet moving in the mild breezes. She willingly shared with others.
This kind of floral display is not accomplished overnight. It's done one year at a time, one bulb or a cluster of bulbs at a time. More than ten years ago, I decided to adopt her strategy. A few bulbs are planted each fall. Potted daffodils, tulips and hyacinths garnered from grocery shopping over the winter are planted in the spring.
This morning there they were, the first green shoots, evidence of spring, poking through dried leaves, along the back of the house warmed by the early morning sun. The thrill of seeing new life coming from what has been planted never grows old. If You Plant a Seed (Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, March 3, 2015) written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson speaks to a timeless adage giving it a distinct perspective, bringing to mind the fables of Aesop.
My full recommendation: http://bit.ly/1GKMFT9
This kind of floral display is not accomplished overnight. It's done one year at a time, one bulb or a cluster of bulbs at a time. More than ten years ago, I decided to adopt her strategy. A few bulbs are planted each fall. Potted daffodils, tulips and hyacinths garnered from grocery shopping over the winter are planted in the spring.
This morning there they were, the first green shoots, evidence of spring, poking through dried leaves, along the back of the house warmed by the early morning sun. The thrill of seeing new life coming from what has been planted never grows old. If You Plant a Seed (Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, March 3, 2015) written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson speaks to a timeless adage giving it a distinct perspective, bringing to mind the fables of Aesop.
My full recommendation: http://bit.ly/1GKMFT9
March 12, 2015
When an artist in any medium does something spectacularly well, maybe better than anyone else, it's natural that we want them to keep doing that thing. Kadir Nelson's 2014 picture book, Baby Bear, was lovely. But I was disappointed that he had moved away from African American subjects (Nelson Mandela, We Are the Ship). But with this year's If You Plant a Seed, I am totally converted. The simple, profound message about the benefits of sharing over selfishness is perfectly conveyed. What can one say about the illustrations--life-like, yet totally creative, comforting but challenging, peerless, really? I'm not sure there will be another picture book this year that I love this much.
March 10, 2015
A message for living is showcased in the story of a rabbit and a mouse who start a small garden and the two different paths their garden can take: one a road of generosity, and one a road of selfishness.
Oil paintings are full of light and are as realistic as they are awwww-inspiring. This book is perfect for reading aloud, especially in spring and its message of sharing and kindness is perfectly aimed and presented at the PreK-2 audience.
Oil paintings are full of light and are as realistic as they are awwww-inspiring. This book is perfect for reading aloud, especially in spring and its message of sharing and kindness is perfectly aimed and presented at the PreK-2 audience.
September 26, 2015
When I previewed this book, my daughter came running to see what had me so delighted that I would exclaim as I turned each page. The art here captivated me entirely. The lesson is gently told, and the sheer lack of words just invites you in to tell the story in your own way. This is a book meant to be shared, as we found when I handed it off to her to look at for herself. Now it's my turn to listen to her delighted noises as she reads.
November 10, 2015
I've been reading most the picture books nominated for the goodreads choice awards. All of them have impressive illustrations but the ones in his book are paintings and boy are they gorgeous. More importantly, though some of them made me chuckle, this is the one I'd want to buy for my (hypothetical) children.
It's a lovely story about kindness and reaping what you sow.
It's a lovely story about kindness and reaping what you sow.
April 17, 2016
Sweet and humorous book with a positive message about planting seeds of kindness, with surprising transitions and juxtapositions as the story moves along. Fun for lovers of birds, raccoons, bunnies, mice, chipmunks, and squirrels!
February 27, 2019
Absolutely adorable. Perfect for Spring/Easter or anythime.
March 8, 2015
Great message and amazing illustrations.
March 30, 2015
Adorable story about being kind to others.
April 7, 2015
Award-winning Nelson tells a story about the power of sharing in this simple and striking picture book. The story begins with a rabbit and a mouse planting a tomato seed, a carrot seed and a cabbage seed in their garden. Then the two wait through all kinds of weather for the seeds to sprout and grow. Until finally, they have three lovely plants and are able to feast on their bounty. Then the birds arrive and silently ask for the rabbit and mouse to share. But no sharing happens and instead there is a struggle and the plants are destroyed. One small red tomato survives and the mouse offers it to the birds. The birds in turn repay that kindness with seeds of their own which then sprout into a much larger and more diverse garden for them all to enjoy, along with even more animals.
Nelson’s writing here is simple but also to the point. He shows young readers what is happening in the story. Using the symbolism of the garden throughout, he explains the importance of sowing the seeds of kindness rather than selfishness and finally how beautiful it is in the end when you do that. There is little subtlety here and the symbolism is beautifully integrated into the story as a whole.
As always, Nelson’s illustrations are pure delight. His animals shine on the page, showing emotions clearly and beautifully both in their eyes and the positions of ears and tails. Other details bring the entire scene to life. Perhaps my favorite page is the birds silently watching the rabbit and mouse feast on the produce. It’s funny and yet the tension is clear too. The entire book is filled with small lovely moments like this told in images rather than words.
Community, sharing and kindness come together in this splendidly illustrated picture book that is sure to be enjoyed along with other spring gardening books. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Nelson’s writing here is simple but also to the point. He shows young readers what is happening in the story. Using the symbolism of the garden throughout, he explains the importance of sowing the seeds of kindness rather than selfishness and finally how beautiful it is in the end when you do that. There is little subtlety here and the symbolism is beautifully integrated into the story as a whole.
As always, Nelson’s illustrations are pure delight. His animals shine on the page, showing emotions clearly and beautifully both in their eyes and the positions of ears and tails. Other details bring the entire scene to life. Perhaps my favorite page is the birds silently watching the rabbit and mouse feast on the produce. It’s funny and yet the tension is clear too. The entire book is filled with small lovely moments like this told in images rather than words.
Community, sharing and kindness come together in this splendidly illustrated picture book that is sure to be enjoyed along with other spring gardening books. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
November 5, 2015
The whole family will read all these November Goodreads nominees for Children's Illustrated books of the year and I will make each review after I get all the ratings (and will add final vote for FAVORITE, after all the ratings are in!) from each family member.
Of the six books so far, this was our least favorite. It is what we expect of children's books: makes a point we already know about planting seeds and "planting seeds", and the art is bold and colorful (and for most of us, sorta generic.
Dave 2 stars
Tara 3 stars
Harry (10) 3 stars
Henry (9) 2.5 stars
Lyra (8) 2.5 stars
Okay, so the rating really is closer to 2.6 overall, and technically should have been rounded up to a 3, but I really thought this was pretty vanilla. And finally, it is my rating, influenced by the fam.
Of the six books so far, this was our least favorite. It is what we expect of children's books: makes a point we already know about planting seeds and "planting seeds", and the art is bold and colorful (and for most of us, sorta generic.
Dave 2 stars
Tara 3 stars
Harry (10) 3 stars
Henry (9) 2.5 stars
Lyra (8) 2.5 stars
Okay, so the rating really is closer to 2.6 overall, and technically should have been rounded up to a 3, but I really thought this was pretty vanilla. And finally, it is my rating, influenced by the fam.
March 30, 2015
I'll never forget seeing wall-size panels of artwork from Kadir Nelsonfrom the bookWe Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseballat the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art on April 30, 2012. His art is so impressive. The joyous expression on a tiny mouse's face when he bites into a freshly grown vegetable in this picture book is priceless!
March 3, 2015
Gorgeous illustrations as always from Kadir Nelson, but in addition to that, IF YOU PLANT A SEED has a wonderful message about sharing. There is one illustration of their birds looking at the mouse and rabbit that I love!! You can totally read their expression saying, "Hey, can we have some of that?" Definitely one to purchase.
May 17, 2016
A bit heavy handed, but the beautiful illustrations won me over. I love the one of the birds staring. I think the arguing and fight scene will intrigue children enough that they won't feel the book is too didactic. Will maybe try this in garden programs and see what children think.
Well, the twos for my story time were a little young for it, though they were impressed by the pictures and wanted to point things out. 5/12/15
Used again in story time, went well with the dramatic pictures.
Well, the twos for my story time were a little young for it, though they were impressed by the pictures and wanted to point things out. 5/12/15
Used again in story time, went well with the dramatic pictures.
November 4, 2015
As always Kadir Nelson's illustrations are beautiful. I absolutely loved them. I think the message/story of the book could have used some help though. It was a bit heavy handed and a mixed bag for me. I think the theme of sharing is a great one and can't be stressed enough, but I am not sure this is the best story to illustrate it.
March 10, 2015
It's possibly a bit early in the year to call this, but I totally am. Caldecott winner or honor book.
July 27, 2015
Amazing illustrations!
January 16, 2016
Absolutely gorgeous illustration brings home the message spectacularly.
November 21, 2015
Lovely pictures, great message. Use for Children's Sermon, storytime on kindness, making the world a better place, etc. So very good.
January 7, 2017
What an incredibly illustrated, beautiful story of Kindness <3
Absolutely wonderful and one that will be in my collection forever!
My family and I give this one 5 out of 5 book hugs :D
Absolutely wonderful and one that will be in my collection forever!
My family and I give this one 5 out of 5 book hugs :D
Displaying 1 - 30 of 674 reviews