The Tiny Seed Book

When powerful grown-ups act like there is no tomorrow, educating the next generation about the fragility of our nature and environment becomes a crucial mission.

Once upon a time, when I spent my days in a library full of books and children, and planned my lessons to open their hearts and minds to the natural miracles of our planet, I usually picked this classic by Eric Carle to read to first grade at some point. It is a straightforward story about the adventurous journey of millions of seeds who leave a plant and then meet different fates. Some are stuck at the top of mountains, - and can't grow, some are lost in water or in a desert, - and can't grow, some are eaten by birds, - and can't grow.

It is a dramatic story of loss, until finally one tiny seed makes it into fertile ground and starts growing. It turns into a new plant, and the circle of life can begin again, with seeds flying, and getting lost, until ...



Students used to love the fact that the book can be started again from the beginning when the last page is reached, mirroring the eternal circle of vegetation.

One year, I happened to read Dr Seuss' The Lorax during the same session, without any specific intention, probably to celebrate Earth Day or for some other "pedagogical" reason. The effect was astounding. The Lorax is not concerned with the natural life of plants, and their traditional development. It is an environmental warning, showing the exploitation and industrialization of the world, and their negative consequences for many species.

The dramatic climax in this story is quite different from Eric Carle's survival message.

The fantasy world of the Lorax and his trees is destroyed by pollution, and there is only ONE SINGLE SEED left:

"Catch! calls the Once-ler.
He lets something fall.
It's a Truffula Seed.
It's the last one of all!
You're in charge of the last of the Truffula Seeds.
And Truffula Trees are what everyone needs.
Plant a new Truffula. Treat it with care.
Give it clean water. And feed it fresh air.
Grow a forest. Protect it from axes that hack.
Then the Lorax
and all of his friends
may come back."

At this point, my students sat upright on the carpet, listening with unusual attention. One boy yelled out what they all thought, having just followed Eric Carle's seed in its struggle to find fertile soil to grow:

"ONLY ONE SEED LEFT! AND YOU KNOW WHAT DANGERS ARE AHEAD BEFORE IT CAN GROW!"

As educational moments go, that was amazing. My young students were more caring and compassionate than the leaders of the world.

Or maybe just protective of the claims they have on our planet? After all, we are just borrowing it from future generations, right?

Highly recommended to families and schools anywhere!