A Seed Was Planted/Sembré una semilla

PreS-Gr 3—A cycle begins when a single seed from an unusual tree is planted and a cutting from the seedling is harvested and given to another person. This process continues until many trees originating from the mother plant have taken hold and are now enjoyed by the community. Barcita adds a pleasant touch with her oil pastels, colored pencils, and acrylics. Trees are featured in each illustration, beginning with small seedlings planted in various containers, and that eventually grow into large trees around which children play, adults relax, and wildlife and pets frolic. Full-color, lifelike artwork done in greens, purples, and blues fills the pages and is augmented by fresh perspectives of how humans joyfully interact with the growing process. The illustrations, at one point, work independently of the text by showing that the trees are planted in a vacant field to create an eventual orchard. The simple story line easily lends itself to a clear translation. This title would work well as a supplement for beginning ESL or Spanish instruction and is a natural for schools and public libraries.—Cristi Jenkins, Fort Vancouver Library District, WA