A Seed Story: or the Serious Odyssey of Cisco the Seed

This is the tale of Cisco, the seed, and his friends who are content with living Beneath in the dim, cozy underground. Traveling to the Above sounds daunting and dangerous. Eventually though, Cisco experiences the telltale, terrifying symptoms of growing and begins to stretch upward. When he finally tumbles into the sunshine he finds it is not at all like what had been whispered but is instead a garden, dazzling with brilliant color, sweet scents and balmy breezes. Cisco's adventure can be useful for parents and therapists who want to engage a child in conversation about death or any other loss or change that is causing a child anxiety. Teachers can also use this story as an entertaining, imaginative foray into the study of plant germination! It has 32 pen and ink and watercolor illustrations by the author/illustrator, Jean Whitney, a coloring book that may be downloaded, a print (giclee) of the watercolored garden that may be ordered, and discussion questions for families and therapists. Cisco, the seed, and his friends are comfortable underground with no desire for anything to change. In fact they whisper about the terrible Above where there is searing light and terrifying unknowns. Whenever one of them begins to grow rootlets, splits or wrinkles they are carried to Seed Salons to be clipped, stitched and generally made to look like their old selves. But Cisco eventually finds himself stretching toward the Above and finds the pull irresistible, though his friends can't hear his shouts of assurance. When he finally tumbles into the garden, into the Sun's shine, he finds what he most feared is the best and brightest surprise. This little story can be used as a fanciful story of germination, a metaphor for big changes a child faces or a metaphor for Heaven waiting beyond for those who face death or the loss of someone beloved. It is suitable as a gift book for grieving families or just a cheerful book for them to read together