Genre
African American fiction
Picture books for children
Tone
Sweet
Writing Style
Spare
Illustration
Realistic
Subject
Animals
Gardening
Gardens
Kindness
Character
Anthropomorphic

This is one of those picture books our text references where the illustrator adds more than the narration. If the words were squished together, it wouldn't cover a page. However, through Kadir Nelson's beautiful illustrations, we see how planting seeds of kindness versus selfishness grow into great or awful things. The illustrations of the animals are glorious. I would love to have a copy of this book. ( )

Rabbit and Mouse decide to plant carrots, tomato and cabbage. The bright, realistic and lavishly oil painted illustrations show the pair reading and napping through the seasons as they wait for their crops to grow. When they produce a harvest, five new visitors stop by and display their curiosity which eventually turns into longing. With sparse text author Kadir Nelson is able to portray the farmers unwillingness to share as the seed of selfishness is planted and the consequences are dismal. When kindness is then planted, cooperation ensues and all are rewarded for their hard work and collaboration. ( )

I think this is a GREAT book to give to primary level students. It has beautiful art, and many lessons involved in it. First, we see a rabbit give us the literal lesson on how to plant a seed, wait, and eventually get plants that provide us with food! Next, we see other animals trying to get some of the food, and we see the rabbit plant a seed of selfishness, not giving the other animals food, resulting in a mess and sadness. Lastly, we see the rabbit plant a seed of kindness, where the animals and birds plant more seeds and grow a big beautiful plant of friendship. I think this book is great for children to visualize how you can benefit yourself and others by just being kind and generous. That you get nowhere when you are selfish and mean. ( )

Gorgeous art. ( )