The Tiny Seed

Narrated by Jennifer Jiles, this animated adaptation of prolific children's author Eric Carle's 1970 picture book features autumn winds blowing seeds against mosaic-style speckled accents of nature. While other seeds burn in the sun or don't thrive in icy mountain conditions, one tiny seed—which may not be as large or as fast as some—presses on. Flying over the ocean, crossing a dry desert, and escaping hungry animals and playful children who pick nearby flowers as the seasons pass (and seeds grow roots, stems, and leaves), the tiny seed perseveres to become a special flower. Animated by Soup2Nuts, with music by Ernest Troost, this loose introduction to the plant life-cycle (which also celebrates the dictum to keep on keepin' on) includes a bonus read-along option. Recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (J. Williams-Wood)