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A tiny dandelion seed attaches itself to the sleeve of a little girl. The child, out walking with her beloved grandmother, observes, "A gentle wind blows and dances with the crows," personifying the breeze poetically. The seed, clinging to her sleeve, even seems to tell a story—that of grit and a rolling stone all in one. The love between the main character and her grandmother as they share a hug on a park bench is a perfect children's scene, complete with a bit of rhyme: "They share a big hug beside a ladybug...." The grandmother-granddaughter outing is heartwarming and a wonderful example, without lecturing or pedantic lessons, about how one should feel about their elders.
Personified plants and animals make nature come alive in this book in ways that young children can imagine and appreciate. There is probably a valid study showing that nature-loving kids have an increased chance of growing into thriving adults, but even if there is not, this book definitely plants that seed. This story is written and illustrated by an obviously talented author. She also seems to know young children well, as the book is perfect for early readers. The words are difficult at first but are easy to master because of the vocabulary, rhyme, repetition, and meter. Gwin sets these children up for successful reading with interesting subjects, lively illustrations, and conquerable text. The book is pure love—love of nature, love of life, love of family, love of pets, love of adventure, and finally, love of color. The illustrations are vibrant and will surely attract pre-k children, too. In short, this is a lovely, lively, and charming book.