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On the surface, Reynolds’ children's book is vibrant and aesthetically pleasing. It captures the story of Little Seed, who rests peacefully on a branch until a storm plunges the seed to the forest floor, entirely outside of her comfort zone. When reality hits this lonely seed among a bunch of stranger seeds, she recedes inward, feeling shameful, leaving her to question her own identity.
The author subtly tackles one of the more relevant discussions among today’s younger kids: creating divisions based on one’s differences. As the other seeds make Little Seed feel like a misfit, The Worm gives Little Seed the realization that there is nothing more important than learning to love oneself. Affirmations and a positive mindset are central themes to Reynolds’ work, helping tomorrow’s adults unravel how to build confidence and self-esteem, all while examining one positive quality at a time.
The author’s ability to create a simplified storytelling structure with easy, engaging characters to follow, chiefly Little Seed and The Worm, allows younger kids to invest themselves in the characters and attempt to model the actions of these characters in their own lives. Further, the writing style itself has a rhythmic cadence that feels more lyrical, even poetic, using elements of enjambment and repetition to create rhythm. Above all else, whether in the classroom, the library, or at the bedside, the author’s children’s book is well suited for younger kids beginning to understand their sense of self and learning to integrate themselves in an elementary school setting.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review