Project Description

Picture Books

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Seed Magic

by Jane Buchanan
illustrated by Charlotte Riley-Webb

In a barren, gray city, Rose dreams of gardens full of red and yellow and blue flowers.

Rose and her brothers mock crazy old Birdman, who sits in his wheelchair all day feeding seeds to the pigeons. Birdman says pigeons are beautiful, but Rose dreams of gardens like the ones she sees in her library books. So when Birdman fills Rose’s hands with slick, black seeds and tells her they are magic, she plants the seeds outside her window and waits. Soon, like Birdman promised, a garden appears before her eyes—a singing flurry of red and yellow and blue, drawn to Rose’s window by seed magic.

Jane Buchanan’s rhythmic prose and Charlotte Riley-Webb’s vibrant and striking illustrations bring to life a story of community, connection, hope, and unexpected beauty.

Format: Hardcover
Price: $16.95
ISBN: 978-1-56145-622-2
Publication Date: 4/1/2012
Page Count: 32
Size: 9-1/2 ̎ x 11 ̎
Age Range: 4 – 8
Language: English
AR Level: 1.4
F&P: M, Gr 2, Genre RF
Themes: Beauty, Birds, Community
BISAC 1: JUV023000 / JUVENILE FICTION / Lifestyles / City & Town Life
BISAC 2: JUV002040 / JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Birds
BISAC 3: JUV029000 / JUVENILE FICTION / Nature & the Natural World / General

Reviews

“With a minimum of words, characters become real, and the grimy city becomes a place of hope. Strong acrylic colors and loose, broad brushstrokes reverberate with the rhythm and hope heard in the text. Together with brevity of words and motion and vibrancy of rhythm and color, the text and paintings create an unexpected joie de vivre. This is a must-buy for all libraries.” ―School Library Journal

“The flash of wings is a beautiful and colorful sight as the illustrations use bright vivid acrylic paint and broad brushstrokes to portray the color and motion.” ―IRA Reading Today

“The short, simple, and beautiful text is a perfect match for the vivid colors, painted with wide, wonderful strokes.” ―The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

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“The book provides a special teaching that is to never underestimate the people around you and their ability to contribute positive experiences. Swirling acrylics beam with bright colors on the sprightly pages.” ―Picture Book Reviews

“This book celebrates nature in an urban setting and the sharing of beauty. Thanks to the rhythm of its writing, it’s a great read-aloud as well.” ―Waking Brain Cells

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Meet the Author

Jane Buchanan holds degrees from Greenfield Community College, Simmons College, and Vermont College. She lives in western Massachusetts, where she works at her hometown library. You can visit her website here.

Meet the Illustrator

Charlotte Riley-Webb earned a BFA from The Cleveland Institute of Art. Her paintings have appeared in more than twenty-five major exhibitions worldwide. She has illustrated a number of books, including Around Our Way On Neighbor’s Day and Rent Party Jazz. You can visit her website here.