Southwest Children's Literature

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The Seed And The Giant Saguaro

Book Review:

The Seed and the Giant Saguaro is a fun read-aloud picture book about the desert and creatures that contribute to the planting, growth, and life of the saguaro cactus. This book shows how a packrat, rattlesnake, roadrunner, coyote and the rain, all contribute to the life cycle of the great saguaro cactus. The seed filled fruit of the saguaro is carried by the packrat "with a great deal of worry" who is chased by a snake that "slid with no sound" who is followed by a roadrunner that "raced on the ground" and so it goes.

This book's playfully repeating rhyme is written with a Southwestern twist to the well-known poem "The House That Jack Built." This allows students to predict the next line and participate in the story. Included in the back is a timeline of fun facts about the saguaro cactus and the animals mentioned in the book.

The illustrator's double page spreads are done in rich golds, greens, and purples that cleverly illustrate the desert vegetation. This collaborative effort by author Jennifer Ward and illustrator Mike K. Ranger is a nominee for the 2005 Mountains and Plains Book Award, children's picture book category and was a 2003 Tucson Pima Library System pick for Southwest Book of the Year. This fun read aloud is great for Southwest units and for kids of all ages!

Link to an interview with author Jennifer Ward.

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