The Tiny Seed

PreS-Gr 1—As the autumn winds blow seeds from a flower, one tiny seed struggles to keep up with the others. The seeds blow across hot deserts, over deep oceans, and past icy mountains. They spend the winter beneath a snowy blanket, but foragers such as hungry mice and birds threaten their existence. One by one, the seeds succumb to nature's hazards until only the tiny seed remains. During the summer, it grows into a giant flower—taller than the people, the trees, and the houses. As autumn's breezes pick up once again, the giant flower releases its seeds, and they sail away through the cool fall air. Eric Carle's lyrical text (S. & S., 1987) and lively tissue paper collage illustrations beautifully combine to tell the story of a flower's life cycle. The vibrant artwork pops against a simple white background, and viewers will enjoy tracking the dark, round seed throughout the changing landscapes. Bright orchestral background music enhances this production and complements narrator Jennifer Jiles's spirited storytelling.