The Seedling that didn't want to grow by Britta Teckentrup

I love Britta Teckentrup's work, but have been disappointed in the past by the darker, more muddy aspects of her art and the wandering text used in her books with Prestel. However, I couldn't resist looking at her newest book from Prestel and I'm glad I did because this was a lovely book with only a few small issues.

The first spread shows a spring green background with small sprouts in brown and green. Careful readers can pick out a delicate red ladybug and small orange ant. The sprouts burst into rainbow bloom on the following page. But one seed doesn't grow. The friendly little creatures wait for the slower seed, encourage it, and, joined by a mouse and butterfly, follow the sprout on her journey through the meadow in search of light and space to grow.

Eventually, the sprout finds a meadow and explodes into growth and bloom, creating a wonderful home for the creatures who have stayed with her on her journey. Fall arrives and the shrub slowly dies, but not before scattering seeds far and wide, which will sprout in the spring.

There are a few spots with odd punctuation and the text on the two spreads of green is difficult to read, but otherwise the book is quite readable. As always, Britta Teckentrup's illustrations are lovely, showing rich shades of green with marks of stamped colors in the shapes of leaf and grass blade. The delicate drawings of the creatures that follow the vine make for a fun seek-and-find aspect as well.

Verdict: While not a necessary purchase, this is a lovely addition to nature books and stories encouraging children to be resilient and persistent.

ISBN: 9783791374291; Published March 2020 by Prestel; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library