Little Dandelion Seeds the World

by Julia Richardson, Kristen Howdeshell (Illustrator), Kevin Howdeshell (Illustrator)

Overview

Did you know dandelions thrive on all seven continents? The cheery blooms are among the most resilient and adaptable in the world. In this lyrical book, learn how the crafty plant travels on the wind and hitches rides in all manner of ways in order to spread far and wide. Includes a map and backmatter on dandelions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781534110533
Publisher:	Sleeping Bear Press
Publication date:	03/15/2021
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 11.10(h) x 0.20(d)
Lexile:	AD360L (what's this?)
Age Range:	6 - 7 Years

About the Author

Julia Richardson is a children's book author living in Mattawan, Michigan. When she isn't writing, she is out in nature, observing the wildlife around her or enjoying time with her grandchildren.

Kevin and Kristen Howdeshell are a husband-and-wife illustrator duo. Their illustration work includes educational and editorial illustration, as well as children’s books. They live in Kansas City, Missouri.

Kevin and Kristen Howdeshell are a husband-and-wife illustrator duo. Their illustration work includes educational and editorial illustration, as well as children’s books. They live in Kansas City, Missouri.

Table of Contents

Beginning of Text Author's Note

Editorial Reviews

2020-12-25
Dandelion seeds travel the world.

The story opens on an urban scene (possibly Cape Town) of a Black child whimsically blowing a dandelion, one fluffy seed floating “far, far away” to an undisclosed African plain. The book continues to describe the manner in which the seeds travel with the repeated refrain “swish, swirl, one hundred seeds fly.” The seeds are carried far and wide: one on the ear of a cheetah, another hitchhiking on a pant leg across the sea, a third in a bird’s droppings. The Howdeshells’ art is vibrant and engaging, taking care to include a diverse array of human racial presentations and details that establish each setting, the textured images focusing on indigenous fauna as the seeds fly. Of particular note is the lovely cover depicting a Black girl with natural hair. The seeds travel to Asia, Australia, North America, South America, and Europe. The entire globe is covered, including Antarctica, stretching a bit to match the conceit. An author’s note claims that “even chilly Antarctica has dandelions on the shoreline of South Georgia Island” as evidence for the plant’s reach to all seven continents. Whether South Georgia Island is part of Antarctica is arguable; it’s too bad the book makes this bland assertion. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-18-inch double-page spreads viewed at 20.8% of actual size.)

A cool concept a tad undermined by geographical overreach. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews