Lacking in consistency and coherence, this effort remains an interesting concept unsuccessfully executed.
The life story of a seed is set in a biblical context.
Readers are introduced on the first page to Little Seed, who will serve as the uninspiring and often hard-to-spot main character of this tale. It floats to the ground and is buried in the soil until winter arrives and the earth freezes. Lest readers worry about Little Seed at this point, they are offered the startling—for no religious or spiritual context has been thus far established—reassurance that “God gave Little Seed everything it needed. Its hard coat protected it. Little Seed was safe.” When spring comes, Little Seed’s softened shell splits open, and a sprout and roots begin to grow. At this point, the illustrations present several small seedlings, making it impossible to even identify Little Seed. When summer rolls around, Little Seed has become a sunflower that must reproduce in fall to fulfill its destiny. The final page spread attempts to tie everything together by offering a quotation referencing gardens and seeds from Isaiah 61:11. The illustrations, an unusual mixture of realism and impressionism, are plagued by inconsistencies. The permanent fixtures of Little Seed’s background, for example, seem to change from season to season, though presumably it remains rooted in the same spot.
Lacking in consistency and coherence, this effort remains an interesting concept unsuccessfully executed. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-9854090-7-4
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Graham Blanchard
Review Posted Online: March 2, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
An irresistible glimpse at the delights of spring.
Kurilla’s latest seasonal tale explores the ways the world comes back to life after winter.
The author/illustrator explores the hallmarks of spring: rainy days, the reemergence of animals and insects, the appearance of buds and blooms, and holidays like Easter, Passover, and Mother’s Day. The rhyming verse bounces along, exhorting readers to take part in all the season has to offer: “Grow flowers for the bumblebees. / Hang a feeder. / Plant some trees.” “Crack a baseball! / Fly a kite! / Enjoy the extra spring sunlight.” The concise text and exuberant tone result in a book that’s just right for the eager ears of the toddler and preschool crowd. Kurilla’s cartoonish illustrations are a standout, too. Filled with greens and blues as well as pops of pink and yellow, they truly evoke spring’s charms. An especially enticing spread perfectly captures the joys of the season: A child bikes through a puddle, a youngster in a wheelchair blows bubbles that rise to the top of the page, and two kids in the background stomp in the mud. Kurilla varies page compositions, alternating vignettes with full-page spreads; her visuals pair well with her text while encouraging readers to linger over details. The cast is diverse in terms of skin color, hairstyle, and ability.
An irresistible glimpse at the delights of spring. (Picture book. 2-4)Pub Date: Feb. 10, 2026
ISBN: 9780316570152
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2025
A wholesome and gentle story that's pleasant and soothing for little ones of all faiths, though it will have extra resonance...
The wonder of the natural world becomes more meaningful through active engagement with it.
A young family’s camping vacation makes two significant overnight stops, one at the seaside and one further inland in a lush green field. As parents set up tents, brother and sister feel the hot sand, marvel at the wide waves, breathe in the salty air and hear the wind’s English/Hebrew whisper of “good night, laila tov.” Similarly, while parents plant new tree seedlings in the field, children gather berries, are awed by field mice, surprised by bees and ultimately fall asleep to the rhythmic pattern of rain that mimics the “good night, laila tov” message. Bright, often full double-page scenes in deeply rich, opaque hues on textured paper bring out the natural essence of this sweet bedtime piece told in lilting rhyme. “We drove out to the oceanside. / The sand was hot. The waves were wide. / Tall grasses swayed. The salty air / Was soft and still and everywhere.” The continual assurance of its repetitive refrain, found on every other page, complements the theme of caring for nature’s beauty. Though the Judaic concept of tikkun olam, or repairing the world, is not explicitly stated within the text, it pervades the whole.
A wholesome and gentle story that's pleasant and soothing for little ones of all faiths, though it will have extra resonance in Jewish households. (Picture book. 2-4)Pub Date: March 27, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-375-86868-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Dec. 2, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2011
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