Yay!!! So Perfect Picture Book weekly postings on the lovely Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog is back in full swing and I so love joining the others and meeting up with new bloggers and enjoying their Picture Book choices. Yeah I know I am a little slow getting into the swing of it but I have finally thawed from our winter downunder and spring is now in full swing. Here is my choice this week…
The Seeds of Friendship
Written and Illustrated by: Michael Foreman
Published by: Walker Books, London 2015
Ages: 3 – 6 years
Theme: friendship, immigration, hope
Opening Lines: Adam loved his new home. It was high, high in a tall tower in the city. It was exciting. He was living in the sky.
Synopsis: (from back cover) Adam felt alone in the strange new city. He missed the colors and friendships of his faraway home. But when a teacher at school gives him a few seeds, she plants an idea in him – an idea that will transform his grey world forever. Michael Foreman’s new story is a powerful fable of how friendship can grow in our world.
Why I like this: This is a beautiful simply told story of a young child settling in a new city. The illustrations show he is from a different country and lifestyle and thanks to a teacher giving him some seeds to plant, an idea springs to mind. Adam sees the world as grey, vastly different from what he is used to but with the help of his new friends and the seeds he learns to change this. A great story which can be read in school, teaching children about immigration, friendship, teamwork, and gardening. It also lends itself to discussions on how people view the world. The full page illustrations in soft colours give a fresh gentle touch to the story. I loved this.
Resources/Findings: Here’s a wonderful site full of links to teach kids about seeds from making ceramic seed ornaments to making their own little pot garden. http://www.fantasticfunandlearning.com/35-seed-activities-for-young-kids.html
Michael’s stories seem to grip you and his illustrations draw you in. Here are some works of his previous books. Mia’s story and War Boy are two I must look for…… http://www.theguardian.com/books/gallery/2010/feb/11/michael-foreman-army-museum
Here is another website that has links to view for activities in building friendship and self esteem in kids…. http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/friendship-games-kids-play-11803.html
I’m always pleased to be able to bring you some more special books that have come my way and be able to share them with you and join other great writers over at Susanna’s Blog, where there are literally hundreds of book reviews to view. So pop over and visit the lovely author, Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books. Her blog is full of resources links and activities associated with books reviewed by many authors.
Writer and Dreamer at work 
Living in the sky … how much more uplifting can you get? WoW; it looks like a trip to the bookstore is in my future. Thanks for the lead on this friendship treasure!
Your very welcome Barbara. Enjoy!
Moving into an apartment in a tower block from a very different living situation must feel pretty overwhelming as a kid. This sounds like a lovely resolution. Upliftng immigrant stories are very pertinent right now worldwide.
I here you Joanna. Yes it can be very overwhelming and it seems to be a trend at the moment. Especially for young ones anywhere. Thanks Joanna.
This looks like a wonderful story for kids moving someplace new – and a good one to share in a school where there are a lot of children who come from different places. Reminds me of people who take a handful of soil with them to connect them to their old home.
Yes Sue I have heard of people doing that. Taking a handful of soil with them when they shift to remember the old place they left behind. This has a very universal theme. Glad you liked this.
Joanna is right! And more and more of us are living in cities in general. Foreman’s art is always beautiful! Friendship seems to run big as a theme today at PPBF!
It’s a lovely theme and I agree Foreman’s art is lovely. Although we are coming closer and closer to retiring age we are thinking of moving out from the city… 🙂 well we are thinking about it. 😉
Can’t have too much friendship! Your description reminded me of Sarah Stewart’s book “The Gardener” and I’m interested to compare the books.
Yes Wendy it does run on a par with The Gardener. I hadn’t thought of it till you said. And no you can never have too much friendship. It lasts forever 😉
I’m hoping I can find this one. Sounds and looks lovely.
I’m hoping you can too, Stacy.
It must be difficult moving from another country to a city so unlike your own. I love the idea of the book for many reasons. The cover is beautiful and the story engaging. I’ll look for this one!
Sorry, I haven’t been around. Just returned from a cruise to Hawaii for my husband’s upcoming 80th birthday. Thought about you as we sailed the pacific.
Oh my! How wonderful being on a cruise. Pity it did not come all the way down here. We would have loved meeting up with you. We have a huge cruise ship docked in at the moment and I believe over 30 cruise ships will be visiting our city throughout our summer months this year. Happy Birthday to hubby, what a great age. Been thinking of you and wondering what you have been up to and how you have been.
Glad you like this choice. It is quite special and I asked the library if I could extend my time with it. 🙂 Thanks for your lovely comment. Take care my dear.
A great story about dealing with change and a move to a new place. Perhaps I should read it! (we just returned from a cruise as well, to France, Italy and Malta)