Seeds and Trees: A children's book about the power of words

I am a little crazy when it comes to children’s books. I buy so very many and read to my three girls every day multiple times a day. I have a few favorites and a few favorite authors, but we have a huge library of children’s books. I only write a review on ones that I believe are special and this book is definitely one. My daughters loved the amazing illustrations and they had questions (which I love when books spark conversations) but were easily able to understand the moral. Be careful what you focus on in your mind because small words can grab hold. If something is said to you that is mean, let it go quickly and focus on the good. Love it. My girls are 3, 6, 8. Amazing children’s book. Amazing illustrations, amazing meaning. Definitely a buy for me.

This is one of the best, most thought provoking children's books I've ever read. It's got a week wonderful moral ( words can either help or hurt.) Some reviews state that it's a kids book about the authors trauma but isn't that what parenting is? Doing better so our children to end up with our hurt. And the rhymes are so fun and catchy!! My son is mesmerized by the illustrations. It's a little longer than most kids books but he can actually keep his attention on it, front to back, no problem. And it's a good message for parents to remind themselves too. Your words stick with your children. It's a lessen they don't need to learn the hard way

The illustrations in this story are BEAUTIFUL!The concept of this story is that what you plant will surely grow, whether you are planting good seeds or bad seeds.The concept of the story is the reason I bought it. I love fables and allegories geared toward children that convey deep truths.I am so sad to say that I was really disappointed in the writing. While the concept is catching, my heart sank as soon as I saw it was written in rhyming form. I have always struggled with children’s stories written in rhyme, because I feel like the emphasis goes to the RHYME instead of the story or characters. I read with my three children daily and we love snuggling up together to read stories! I was honestly SO excited for this book, which is probably why I felt so disappointed by the writing. I also thought the writing wasn’t very clear and I had to re-explain the story to my 5 year old.I actually think this author shows promise! And he choose an illustrator well suited to the tone of the story. That’s half the battle right there!! I would love to see more stories from him in the future!! Perhaps with a CS Lewis/Sally Loyd Jones tone?!? Yes please!

I own hundreds of social-emotional intelligence picture books that I use for homeschooling. This is one I purchased on a whim because it's frequently advertised by Amazon and it has SO MANY good reviews. I was disappointed when I read it.I appreciate what the author is trying to do and I hope he continues spreading positivity. From all of these reviews, I see that many people really love this book and that's great. I hope it's very helpful for those people. I just wish there had been a more balanced and comparative review when I purchased this book so that I could make a fully informed decision. That's why I wrote this.PROS:-It names shame once and then shame is seemingly the theme of the book. It's a hard emotion and important to learn about.-The Prince had a positive influence in his adult life (presumably his wife) who helped and nurtured him which could be helpful for teaching about good friends and asking for help when you're having a hard time.-I can see this being useful in a classroom setting as a social-emotional intelligence read aloud (practice first - see my cons for why) and discussion.-The illustrations are whimsical and lovely.CONS:-The meter and too-frequent near rhymes are awkward, making reading aloud cumbersome throughout. (I dread reading it.) It's just not written that well. (See pictures)-It's too long.-This is a tale about the author's life told as an allegory. The Prince/Author spends most of the story as an adult (or teenager?) It's boring and the moral is heavy-handed because ADULT LIVES AREN'T THAT INTERESTING OR RELATABLE TO CHILDREN.-It's not funny, clever, fun or thought-provoking.-The story reminds me of a touchy-feely story in a church sermon (although religion is NOT mentioned) or a picture book that a parent would write to teach their own children about the hard lessons they learned in their lives (because that's what it is).This is not a children's book. It's one of those moral picture books that adults like because it has a good message so they will gift it to the children in their lives (nieces, nephews, grandchildren, neighbors, etc.) who will read it once and then probably not again. Those children will prefer social-emotional books written with children in mind with subtle messages that are funny or clever or relatable because the stories are about children.My children (5 & 11) will let me read picture books to them for hours. This is not a book that my children want to read. Thus, the good intention of this book is completely negated.If you're interested, check it out from the library first to see if you like it. You just might. When comparing it to all of the other books that teach about feelings, kindness, relationships, etc., I didn't. But, taste is a personal thing. Hopefully this review helps you decide if it's for you or not.

In this world of pressures, critics & bullying you need to teach your kids how to handle the garbage that is given to them. This book is a must have!

This book is not only beautifully illustrated and written but it also has a lovely message that even my preschool class embraced. The language and vocabulary was maybe geared toward older kids here and there, but overall the message was easily understood and the story was engaging. I initially checked this book out at our local library and then had to buy it after realizing how powerful the lesson in it is. We were even able to follow up the story with an exercise where we discussed words that others have said to us that would make a red seed and the big thorny trees- we practiced closing our eyes and “holding” our seed, thinking of those words and then “tossing” them into the ocean and letting them go. We did the same with the kind words but instead let our seeds grow into big, strong trees. And, of course, we talked about what sorts of seeds we would like to give to others. The kids loved it and so did I! 💚

I was excited about this book, based on the reviews here. Unfortunately, it really doesn't live up to them in my opinion. The book itself is cheaply printed and feels flimsy. I buy a lot of children's books and it really is a far cry in terms of quality to other titles in the £9-£10 price range.Then there is the story itself. It is odd to read, as it rhymes in places, makes an attempt in others and in some places doesn't at all. The metaphor is clear to the adult reader but I'm not sure it made much of an impression on my 4 year old. The idea that the seeds represent words is not made apparent enough, but then the growth of the green / dark trees is overlaboured. I wanted to love it, I'm sad that I don't.If you are looking for a book about trees and friendship, I can recommend Cherry Blossom and Paper Planes by Jef Aerts & Sanne te Loo which is miles better.

I think it's impossible to walk past this book without picking it up. The illustrations are fantastic and set this book apart from others. Pairing Brandon Walden's voice with Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell's illustration style allowed the story to develop it's full potential. I personally love metaphorical books and, thus, absolutely enjoyed talking to my boys about their meaning after reading the story. Overall, an outstanding book that you can read or frame; it's that beautiful. I can only recommend it

This beautiful looking book might be best described as in the style of an old fashioned fable. The story revolves around a prince who plants the seeds he gains from words that are spoken. Some are good, some are bad and the message is to not let the bad ones that harm take root too deeply. It's a lovely story accompanied by some beautiful illustrations. I don't think it's too much to call the story powerful and I don't think it's one that should just be for children. To be honest when I found this book I didn't expect anywhere near as much as I got from it. A wonderful, wonderful book for everyone.

A beautiful book with stunning illustrations. A really nice moral lesson to be learned here about nurturing and being careful how your actions affect others. I enjoyed the contrast between actual life and the nature depictions. However, the illustrations were its saving grace. I enjoyed what the author was trying to do with this story, but to me, the rhythm and pacing felt off in places taking me out of the story. I still enjoyed it and will try more by this author in the future should an opportunity arise.

I read this with my 6 year old who absolutely loved this. The book is stunning to look at and the story is a great way to explore ideas of friendship, kindness, the power of words and the process of letting go. These concepts are explored in in a way children can understand by using the notion of seeds as words that grow into trees. I shall be recommending this to all of my teacher friends.