Seeds
In the summer of 2026, several libraries are using the theme “Plant a Seed, Read” for the summer reading program. It is a great theme for a storytime anytime of the year! You could also do a more elaborate storytime event as a way to promote your library’s seed library (if you have one), or to celebrate the grand opening if you start a seed library. For a hands-on project, make seed mosaics, or make any of the projects shown here: 20+ Seed Art Ideas for Kids - Fun-A-Day!.
Agis, Robert. Open: Every Seed Has Its Moment. In this fact-based simple picture book, we see the life cycle of a seed.
Aston, Dianna Hutts. A Seed Is Sleepy. In this factual book, the large print text makes a great readaloud while the smaller text gives more information.
Bridgewater, Marcus. See Marcus Grow. Grandma shows little Marcus how to grow food in their garden.
Brown-Wood, JaNay. Here Are the Seeds. In this cumulative tale, Black siblings grow plants from seeds.
Dunklee, Annika. Sprout, Seed, Sprout! A little boy plants an avocado seed.
Furrow, Robert. Mara Plants a Seed. A young Black girl clears out an abandoned lot and plants fifty sunflower seeds.
Heck, Ellen. Sunflower Seeds. A kindergarten class plants sunflower seeds, taking them home over summer vacation.
John, Jory. The Bad Seed. A sunflower seed with terrible manners learns to get along with others. First in a series.
Krauss, Ruth. The Carrot Seed. In this classic picture book, a little boy plants a seed even though others tell him it won’t grow.
Laden, Nina. Seeds of Change. In this simple rhyming story, young children tend a garden.
Matheson, Christie. Plant the Tiny Seed. In this interactive story, the audience can help motivate a seed to grow!
Obuhhanych, Karen. This Little Kitty in the Garden. In this rhyming story, five little kittens help their humans tend a garden.
Reul, Sarah Lynne. Beansprout. For a class project, Ben experiments with planting seeds.
Schumerth, Cynthia. Every Little Seed. In this rhyming story, the cycle of the seasons and planting is show
Simmonds, Kathryn. Be My Brave Sunflower. A sunflower seed is afraid to grow until he is encouraged by a child.
Underwood, Deborah. Tiny Garden. Andrew grows a small garden but is just as proud as those with larger plots.
Wallace, Gwendolyn. Joy Takes Root. Joy learns to plant seeds when she visits her Grammy.
Penny Peck, San Jose State University iSchool