If You Plant a Seed
Kadir Nelson, Author and Illustrator
Balzer + Bray/Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, Fiction, Mar. 3, 2015
Suitable for Ages: 4-8
Themes: Animals, Nature, Planting and Growing, Sharing, Seeds of kindness, Generosity, Friendship
Opening: “If you plant a tomato seed, a carrot seed, and a cabbage seed, / in time, / with love and care, / tomato, carrot and cabbage plants will grow.”
Synopsis: Rabbit and mouse, plant seeds in their garden. They patiently tend to their garden and watch the rain and sun do their magic. As the fruits of their labor begin to pay off they do their happy dance and marvel at the sweetness of their bounty. When five birds appear from the sky, rabbit and mouse try to protect their vegetables from their winged friends. The birds stare them down (illustrations are priceless) and pandemonium breaks out, until mouse gives the birds a peace-offering. Because of mouse’s act of generosity, the birds return with seeds of kindness and friendship reigns.
Why I like If You Plant a Seed:
Kadir Nelson’s If You Plant a Seed is a timeless story for the entire family that will charm you from the first double-spread to the last. His spare and clever text makes this story an easy book for kids to read alone or to a sibling. It shows children what happens when you are selfish and hoard your bounty. And it teaches them what happens when they are kind and share with others — friendships form. These are values they will easily understand. The cover is gorgeous. Nelson’s beautiful, oversized oil paintings are breathtaking! Facial expressions are dramatic, expressive and humorous. The vegetables look so real, that you want to reach out and take a bite of a carrot or tomato. If You Plant a Seed has heart, humor, connection and friendship. It is a treasure! Visit Kadir Nelson online at his website.
Kadir Nelson won the 2012 Coretta Scott King Author Award and Illustrator Honor for Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans. He received Caldecott Honors for Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine and Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford, for which he also garnered a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award and won an NAACP Image Award. Ellington Was Not a Street by Ntozake Shange won a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award. Nelson’s authorial debut, We Are the Ship, was a New York Times bestseller, a Coretta Scott King Author Award winner, and a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor book. He is also the author and illustrator of the acclaimed Baby Bear.
Children's Books Heal 
Looking forward to reading If You Plant a Seed, as well as checking out all the books you listed in Kadir’s bio. Thanks for introducing me to an awesome-sounding author/illustrator!
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Laura, Nelson’s work is stunning. Just look at his website. He has also illustrated books for other authors.
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That sounds lovely, Pat.
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Such an important book about kindness with beautiful artwork!
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He is my #1 favorite illustrator! I saw an exhibit of his work at the Eric Carle museum and I was really, really moved. Blown away by his talent. Thanks for sharing!
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I would second that! Lucky you. I would love to see an exhibit of his an of his work. There is so much power and expression in his artwork.
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What a lovely book & message. Perfect timing, too, as the bounties in our gardens grow (at least in the northeast US) and as I ponder the importance of this message in today’s world. Thank you!
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Yes, it is a book that covers planting and harvesting the bounty. Yes, I think we could use a little more kindness in the world today. And, it’s an important message for children to hear.
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Sounds like a special book.
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It’s a spectacular book. I just gave a copy to our great grandson. He loves the larger than life pictures.
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Sounds lovely. I think I’ll check it out:)
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It’s a beautiful book. I hope you check it out and some of Nelson’s other books.
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What talent he has! I always find something new to admire. Nice review Pat.
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Thank you! Nelson is such a talent. I love to give his books as gifts.
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I agree. This is a beautiful book with a sublet message of kindness. 🙂
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Kindness is an important virtue for children. Nelson really gives energy to the theme through his artwork.
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Wonderful book! Fantastic illustrations!
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Yes, it is a beautiful book and story!
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What a wonderfully sweet story!
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It is such a treasure!
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Pingback: If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson — Children’s Books Heal – Jasper Lynn
Sounds like Mouse and Rabbit have green thumbs….paws. Unlike certain Moms around here. When Mom hung our hanging plants outside, she said, “Sorry. You’ll both be dead soon.” She wasn’t even kidding.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
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They do have green paws. But best of all they learn to be kind, like you Cupcake. I’m like your mom, I don’t do well with plants.
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Great review! I like the cover! 🙂
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It is a beautiful book and you’d love the illustrations too!
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As always, thank you so much for lifting up this book! People are always asking “What can I do to make a difference?” and knowing that planting a little seed can make all the difference in the world is so important. This is a lovely way to get that message across. On Tuesday we’ll have this book in our shop in San Mateo, thanks to Childrens Books Heal.
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Thanks Craig. It is beautiful book about planting the seeds of kindness. I hope you checked out Nelson’ website to see everything he’s authored/illustrated or books he’s illustrated with other authors. So much strength and power in his artwork. Thanks for visiting!
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This sounds so cute and wonderful for younger children to learn to read and about family bonds! I love how it’s animals planting a garden, so cute! ^-^
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I love Kadir Nelson’s beautiful picture books. This one is really expressive and beautiful and shows kids how kindness goes a long way.
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What a sweet sounding book! There can never be too much kindness in the world. Thanks for sharing such a charmer!
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It is a beautiful book, like so many of Nelson’s masterpieces. I loved the idea of planting the seeds of kindness.
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Beautiful! Nelson is amazing. That’s a picture book name even I’m familiar with.
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I love all of his books. Always larger than life pictures. This book I gave to my great grandson.
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I love this book! I got to hear Kadir Nelson speak about this book last year at NCTE. My favorite anecdote was his insight about the page where all the animals are sitting around “fertilizing” the seed (and reading the newspaper) – ha! Thanks for sharing with #diversekidlit!
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Oh you lucky thing! I love Kadir Nelson’s artwork but I haven’t read any of his own writing, and this sounds a gorgeous book – it must have been really special to hear him talking about it – and from what you say, Katie, and you too in your lovely review, Patricia, there’s a nice blend of humour and depth. Thank you, indeed, for sharing with #diversekidlit.
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Marjorie, you are in for a treat. It makes the perfect gift book because of the illustrations and artwork!
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Oh you lucky thing! I love Kadir Nelson’s artwork but I haven’t read any of his own writing, and this sounds a gorgeous book – it must have been really special to hear him talking about it – and from what you say, Katie, and you too in your lovely review, Patricia, there’s a nice blend of humour and depth. Thank you, indeed, for sharing with #diversekidlit.
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Luck you! I love Kadir Nelson’s work. And, this book is my favorite gift book, because of the message of kindness and the gorgeous illustrations. His books are keepers.
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This really is a charming book and Kadir Nelson’s illustrations are always just wonderful Thanks for sharing your thoughts about it.
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Yes, it is a charming book. I love the theme of sewing the seeds of kindness and his breathtaking illustrations!.
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