Seeds Move!

December 1, 2018
Page examines how seeds move from their parent plants to places where they can sprout and grow.The simple prose relies on action verbs for punch, if not scientific accuracy: A seed may "hitchhike," "catapult," "parachute," or even "plop"--in the poop of a berry-eating bear. Some spreads depict related actions: The large, buoyant seeds of the coconut palm and monkey-ladder vine can both drop into water and "drift" or "float" off, perhaps finding an auspicious shore for propagation. Particularly intriguing are seeds adapted in ways that encourage animals to mobilize them. Bloodroot seeds contain a morsel tasty to ants, which carry the seeds to their nest to eat and bury. The seeds of an unspecified African grass look and smell like antelope droppings, tricking dung beetles into rolling them underground. Farmers and gardeners are also acknowledged, and kids are encouraged to plant a watermelon seed "and see what happens." Crisply delineated against white space, digital illustrations use color, texture, and form to depict striking, identifiable images that are nonetheless stylized rather than scientific. Some of Page's choices in visual perspective may confound children curious about the sizes of seeds and animals. No geographical or biological information is provided for the plants and animals depicted--a missed opportunity to further engage young readers.A pleasant but facile introduction to the important concept of seed dispersal. (Informational picture book. 4-7)

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February 11, 2019
Using lively verb phrases, Page describes the ways in which seeds use their environments to germinate. “A human touch, a passing animal, or a gust of wind—the slightest jostle can send exploding cucumber seeds shooting from their pods.” A seed also “drifts,” like a coconut in the ocean; “squirts” from the mouth of an orangutan; “parachutes. When a milkweed pod splits open”; and “plops” after a bear consumes berries. Each spread provides additional details about the way seeds propagate (“the jay forgets where it put some of its acorns, and those seeds may become new oak trees”). In realistic digital art, Page captures the fine textures of feathers and fur, and the layers of leafy soil and grainy sand. A rich portrayal of the many sides of seeds. Ages 3–8.

May 15, 2019
Preschool-G No matter what the seed or its place of origin, for that seed to germinate, it must move. This early informational science book reveals that all seeds either have a built-in "transportation system" or hitch a ride from an unwitting animal or insect. From exploding cucumbers, catapulting touch-me-nots, and parachuting milkweeds to mountain ash berries moving through a brown bear's digestive system, seeds find unique ways to move. As both author and illustrator, Page has created an engaging approach for young children to understand the basic concepts of seed propagation. A simple line of text repeats for each new entry, varying to reflect its subject (e.g., A seed drifts ), while more detailed information is included for slightly older children: A coconut?the huge seed of the palm tree?drifts on the ocean. The big, bright digital illustrations resemble textured collages and will easily hold the attention of their young audience. As teachers or parents introduce the very young to seeds and how things grow, they may turn to Page's book again and again.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)