The Dandelion Seed

Joseph Anthony Illustrated by Cris Arbo

The dandelion seed clings to its home, but is blown away to see the world--which is more bigger, more frightening, and more beautiful than it ever imagined. Its growth, life adventures, and its own seed offers a thoughtful metaphor of life.

The humble dandelion. By roadside or mountainside, it flowers every month of the year throughout the world, a fitting symbol of life. Its journey is our journey, filled with challenge, wonder and beauty. This popular, simple book is beautiful and touching.

SEED-P Paper $7.95 ISBN 1-883220-67-X

SEED-H Cloth $16.95 ISBN 1-883220-66-1

Ages 3-10 32 pages 21 color illustrations 9" x 11"

Winner of Benjamin Franklin Award Silver Medal Award for Children's Picture Books

Reminiscent of Rose Fyleman's A Fairy Went A-Marketing and Barbara Helen Berger's classic A Grandfather Twilight, this beautifully illustrated story is profoundly simple and wise. With very few words at all, featuring lush and brightly colored full-page pictures, this is a simple tale of change and renewal. Through the story of one last dandelion seed afraid to "let go" into the autumn winds, the themes of trust and divine will are illuminated. The cycle of ripenings, dispersal, dormancy, and eventual sprouting brings wisdom to the once-frightened little seed. Surrender leads to discovery, and trust grows like the seedling rooted in the earth. It is not until the beautifully wrought ending that we glimpse a human--a little girl blowing on a dandelion "wisher"--showing the universal through a child's eyes

NAPR Review

Autumn has arrived and there's one last dandelion seed left to be carried away by the wind. The seed tries to resist, but the wind is just too strong. During its adventure in the air, the dandelion seed discovers that the world is made up of many things- some frightening, some beautiful. It takes this discovery for the seed to find out its purpose and where its roots will lie. This is a "spread your wings and fly" story with nature again serving as the great metaphor for life. Fabulous detail-oriented illustrations make this a must have.

Children's Literature - Sheree van Vreede

A joyous, beautiful story. Arbo's striking and impressive illustrations jump off each page full of color and detail. This fable of the seed will be a plus in many classrooms and will make a delightful bedtime story book. . . . A must for young readers.

C-Ville Weekly, Charlottesville, VA

You'll never look at a dandelion in quite the same way after reading The Dandelion Seed. Sensitive and beautifully detailed paintings enhance the simple but often poetic text.

Medina County Gazette, Medina, Ohio

Anthony makes magic with a pen and Arbo brings life to his words

NBC-TV, Charlottesville, VA