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:	9781534179295
Publisher:	Sleeping Bear Press
Publication date:	04/15/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	86 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	6 - 7 Years

Editorial Reviews

03/15/2021

Employing the refrain “Swish, swirl, one hundred seeds fly... Down with a root./ Up with a shoot./ A little dandelion blooms in,” Richardson pens a simple, rhythmic debut, detailing the spread of dandelion seeds across the seven continents. After the dandelion flower turns into a head of white fluff, a colorful “POOF!” sets off the seeds’ travels: by air from Africa to Asia, by a seafarer’s pant leg from Australia to North America, by bird droppings from North America to South America, and beyond. Vivid, screenprint-esque digital illustrations by the Howdeshells trace the seeds’ paths, showcasing animals from each continent amid landscapes enlivened by terrain-distinct color palettes. Younger readers will enjoy this informative read, which shows how nature unites the globe. Back matter includes an author’s note. Ages 6–7. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

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