Planting Hope

Description: A child discovers a secret ingredient for nurturing plants--and for helping ailing loved ones, too--in this tender story by a two-time New York Times best-selling author celebrating the power of hope.

Everyone in Henry's family loves plants and gardening. So why can he never get his little plant to grow, no matter how hard he tries? His mom has been able to grow anything since she was young, and even cultivated a whole orchard to help feed people who were hungry. Henry imagines his mother as a great tree, with branches wrapping around the whole community. "People and seeds have a lot in common," his mom likes to say. "If you want them to grow strong, nourishment and sunlight aren't enough--they also need hope." When Henry's mom becomes sick and it looks like she may not recover, this belief that she's sown in her son becomes key to what happens next. Frederick Joseph, award-winning author of The Black Friend, offers a bighearted story about keeping hope alive in the face of grief--and a gentle allegory with an upbeat message about healing a fragile planet.

Review Quotes: A heartwarming ending that acknowledges the power of optimism and hard work will empower young readers. Kallam's lush visuals are saturated with movement and emotion; mirroring Henry's mood. . . .A radiant tale that will inspire little ones to stay positive even amid hardship.
--Kirkus Reviews

The brightly colored artwork is a perfect complement to the joyful, positive message of the book. The metaphor of needing hope to grow and thrive is a strong theme that will resonate with readers. . . . A vibrant picture book, this would be a good selection for libraries, with a celebration of hope that is always welcome.
--School Library Journal

Visual artist Kellam has created a painterly wonderland that encompasses the beauty of hope realized, splendidly conceived with endearing, expressive faces and lush, curvy surroundings. The parallel between the ailing (and subsequent healing) of the plants and the mother's health makes an intangible concept more concrete for young readers. The gentle confidence of the story carries a life-affirming message that will touch youngsters who crave a way to make a difference and move forward, no matter their circumstances.
--Booklist

Painterly backlit digital renderings embrace verdure inside and out, while dialogue-driven and emotion-laden narration point to the healing that can arise from nurturing.
--Publishers Weekly