Miss Maple's Seeds

by Eliza Wheeler

This stunning New York Times Bestseller introduces the kind, nature-loving Miss Maple, who celebrates the miracle in each seed--perfect for fans of Miss Rumphius !

What happens to seeds that don't sprout? Fortunately, they have Miss Maple to look after them. Every year, she rescues orphan seeds, taking them to her cozy maple tree house. All winter long, she nurtures them and teaches them the ways of seeds and the paths by which they might find their new homes. And come spring, she sends them off to take root out in the wide world and to sprout into the wonderful plants she knows they'll become. Celebrate every season with Miss Maple, from Earth Day to graduations to harvest festivals.

Downloadable Activity Sheets available at wheelerstudio.com/2013/04/03/miss-map...

"Completely enchanting . . . Filled with broad vistas, warm breezes, woodland creatures, and other whimsical imagery . . . With its positive message about the value of nurturing even the tiniest bit of the natural world, this book is simply wonderful."--School Library Journal

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nature, Fantasy, Plants, Gardening, Fiction

40 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 2013

About the author

Eliza Wheeler is the author-illustrator of MISS MAPLE'S SEEDS (Penguin), which debuted on the New York Times Bestseller list. She is also the illustrator of the Newbery Honor winning novel by Holly Black, DOLL BONES (Simon & Schuster), and Mara Rockliff's picture book THE GRUDGE KEEPER (Peachtree). Eliza is the recipient of numerous Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators awards, including the Grand Prize Award for best portfolio at the 2011 SCBWI National Conference.

Eliza grew up in northern Wisconsin in a family of teachers, musicians, and artists. Some of the strongest influences on her creativity have been the wild Wisconsin seasons, canoeing the Brule River, picking blueberries with her grandmother, and digging through the snow with her brothers. Eliza currently lives with her husband in Los Angeles, California. See her work at www.wheelerstudio.com

Reviews

[Manybooks]

Although in Miss Maple's Seeds author/illustrator Eliza Wheeler's artwork most definitely is very much colourful and imaginative (albeit I do wish that Miss Maple herself were not drawn so witch-like with regard to her much too beak like nose) and as much as especially Wheeler's illustrations of the diverse seeds and how they are collected, cared for and later sent on their merry ways by Miss Maple (to take root and germinate into flowers and trees) have certainly tickled my visual fancy, I also and equally do have to admit that with Miss Maple's Seeds, I have not really all that much either enjoyed or even appreciated Eliza Wheeler's text, I have not found her written words all that engaging and actually not even all that making verbal sense. For truly and in my opinion, with Miss Maple's Seeds, upon reading (and yes, my aesthetic delight in and with the illustrations quite notwithstanding), I have found Eliza Wheeler's presented storyline as not really knowing whether Miss Maple's Seeds is supposed to be reality or a fairy tale, whether the text is meant to demonstrate how seeds germinate and take root or whether Miss Maple's Seeds is simply to represent a fantastical tale about a Mother Nature like entity gathering seeds and then like a parent with her children teaching them the ins and outs of being seeds, leaving a to and for me rather uncomfortable mixture of fantasy and reality and also never really a strong indication either way as to how Miss Maple's Seeds is to be approached (if it is meant to be a fairy tale or actual educational material on seeds and how they are dispersed, how they germinate, how they grow into plants, into trees, flowers and the like).

Two stars for Miss Maple's Seeds from a textual point of departure (as indeed I have personally and definitely not really found Eliza Wheeler's text to my reading tastes) but yes, since I do in fact and indeed consider Wheeler's artwork wonderful and for the most part delightfully bright and descriptive, I will be upvoting Miss Maple's Seeds to three stars, but only to a rather grudging three stars for all that, in so far that for me it is definitely mainly if not only Wheeler's artwork which makes Miss Maple's Seeds worthwhile and sweet as a picture book.

[Brandy]

An fun read for all ages - it tells the story of how seeds - once small- turn into something big- trees!❤️ My daughter was in awe of how something so tiny can grow into something so big! Now, thanks to Miss Maple’s Seeds, we are going to try a herb garden to watch the magic of growth with our own eyes (wish us luck.)❤️ I love when a book inspires the brain and a little one’s imagination. 5stars

[Matt]

Ever wonder what happens to those errant seeds that do not make it into the ground each Spring? Miss Maple is responsible for gathering them up and loving them, while offering a sort of seed school from inside her tree. Learning about water and soil, Miss Maple readies the seeds for next year and offers them much love to aid in their maturity. When Spring returns, she sends them off to do their thing before starting the cycle all over again with a new batch of seeds in need. Neo is an aspiring gardener and I know he was keenly interested in this. He wants to find some great seeds that he can love and help them to prosper with just the right amount of attention.

[Melki]

Wow! Both the story and the illustrations are incredibly beautiful!








I LOVED this one. Can't wait for more by Ms. Wheeler.

[Rod Brown]

A weird little fantasy where a tiny woman who rides birds gathers orphan seeds, fosters them through the winter, and scatters them in the spring so they'll take root. The story and the pictures did nothing for me, though I usually like this creator's art.

[Kathryn]

Sweet, imaginative, lovely. Miss Maple is like a wise, elderly Thumbelina. It's very fanciful (the idea of "orphan" seeds needing someone to help them along the way) so enjoy it as a fairytale instead of a science text. I would have adored this as a child.

[Nora]

I liked the creativity of the idea, the colors & detail used in the illustrations, but not too impressed with the storyline.

[Mary Ann]

"Take care, my little ones, for the world is big and you are small."

With care and kindness, tiny Miss Maple gathers orphan seeds all summer long and brings them home to prepare them for next year’s planting. “’Take care, my little ones,’ Miss Maple says, ‘for the world is big and you are small.’” She keeps the seeds safe through the fall and winter, reading “flower tales by firefly light.” When spring comes again, she sets each seed off to find its home. Wheezer’s watercolor and ink illustrations capture Miss Maple’s joyful and hopeful spirit. Detailed realistic plant and seed illustrations combine with the caricature of fanciful Miss Maple, soaring aloft on a blue bird’s wings or dancing in spring puddles. The fluid lines, soft, bright hues and delicate shading complement the lyrical text. Children will be comforted by Miss Maple’s encouraging words: “never forget … even the grandest of trees once had to grow up from the smallest of weeds.” Sentimental? Perhaps. But heartfelt, genuine and enchanting. A charming twist on the classic flower fairy motif.

[Franci]

#35 of 2022

[Nancy Kotkin]

Text: 5 stars
Illustrations: 5 stars

Amazing picture book that celebrates nature and the importance of taking care of those who may need a bit of help. Come August, Miss Maple rides on the back of a bird in search of orphan seeds that didn't find a home in the spring. She takes them in, provides loving care and mentorship "to learn about being a seed," then releases them the following spring "to find roots of their own." Youngsters will surely see themselves in the seeds, and recognize life lessons in Miss Maple's seed tutelage. Gorgeous nature-inspired watercolors bring the text to life with inked details. Makes a terrific read-aloud. Not to be missed.

[Dolly]

This is a gorgeous picture book that shows how even the grandest tree started off as a small seed. Miss Maple finds lost seeds and nurtures them until they are ready to find their place in the world. It's a very heartfelt, metaphoric tale that is calming and great for bedtime. The illustrations are terrific and mix small pictures with lots of white space with big, landscapes and cozy, soothing scenes. We really enjoyed reading this book together.

interesting quote:

"Take care my little ones, for the world is big and you are small." (p. 9, 15, and 27)

[Raymond]

Michelle Obama reads this book here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShaO3...

[Luisa Knight]

Miss Maple is a darling!

With such sweet illustrations of the changing seasons, you will want to make this a regular read-aloud.

And I loved that they had an entire page of seeds and what they look like.

Ages: 3 - 8

[Ann]

I love having Michelle Obama read to me every week!

[Tasha]

This book will sweep you up like a breath of brisk autumn air. Miss Maple is a little woman who spends her entire summer searching for seeds that have not gotten planted in the spring. She brings them back to her maple tree and nurses them back to strength. She washes them off, warns them to take care because they are so small, takes them on field trips to learn about being a seed, and reads them bedtime stories. In winter they all burrow down together and fill the time with songs and stories. Then when spring arrives, the seeds learn to dance in the rain and sink into muddy ground. In May, it is time for the seeds to find the places they will grow, so Miss Maple launches them off. Miss Maple then starts her journey with the seeds all over again, heading off on the back of a bluebird to find another year’s worth of stranded seeds. Lovely and warm, this picture book is a joyous celebration of the seasons and the plants around us.

Wheeler has created a tiny motherly figure in Miss Maple, someone who loves and cares just for the good of the earth. As the book progresses, she becomes almost a Mother Earth figure as her world turns with the seasons. Wheeler’s writing is filled with wonderful small moments and details. Miss Maple reads bedtime stories “by firefly light” and during the winter her animal neighbors share “supplies of hot maple syrup, old corn husks, and juicy fruit rinds.”

Her illustrations show that same attention to detail. This small world is filled with little touches that make it come alive. The frogs in the nearby pond have a house in a log complete with front door and paned windows. The seeds all sleep in small, cozy beds that are perfectly designed for seeds their size. Then when Miss Maple launches the seeds off, she does it with winged baskets and other vessels that glow and float on the water. This is a completely formed world that all readers will want to linger in.

Cozy and lovely, this picture book is a celebration of seasons and the earth, but it is also a reflection on the skill and care of nurturing. Get this one for your Earth Day units and pull it out when covering seasons too. Though I think it would be best of all curled up under warm blankets and watching autumn arrive. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

[Bookandahug]

Miss Rumphius and Mrs. Spitzer's Garden have a new friend. Welcome Miss Maple's Seeds! You and all of your charming pictures and your mix of magic and soothing care.

Flying in a la Mary Poppins on a summer's day, Miss Maple gathers the orphan seeds that have been lost in spring planting and takes them home to for nurturing and nourishment in her maple tree. Each little seed is especially different and beautiful drawings of the seeds in the most A SEED IS SLEEPY tradition show us the wonder of the variations in shape, color and size.

Through the careful tutelage of Miss Maple our lucky little seed friends go on field trips and nestle down into some of the snuggest beds guarded well against the cold of wintertime.

"Take care, my little ones, for the world is big and you are small." The wonder is, of course, that thanks to Miss Maple the little ones will not stay small forever and eventually with the arrival of May, the seeds float away tucked in small buckets with leafy wings making their way to the river's edge where lanterns brighten the fading evening dusk and the seeds drift away to create their futures and send their roots deep into the waiting soil.

This is a world where fairies may abound though they are never mentioned. There is plenty of room for them here and they would love the maple tree and the light and the gentle friendship. As summer comes around again, Miss Maple will go in search of her orphans to continue the cycle of love aloft on the wings of her companion, a lovely bluebird.

This has the potential to be a great graduation gift.

[Sarah]

this is a lovely book...magical and touching. wonderful to read aloud. endearing illustrations. it left us with so many questions. who/what is miss maple? is she all alone in the world? how did she come to be a caretaker of seeds? the story does such a nice job of providing layers of meaning. it is informative (regarding seed identification), but also philosophical (regarding one's place in the world...and the grandeur in the tiniest of seeds)...and of course, fantasy (as the readers are never quite sure if miss maple is magic, a fairy, or something else entirely). highly recommended. perhaps, I should have given it 5 stars. Despite all that I loved about it, I was left wanting more from it...though, I'm not sure what, exactly.

[Brian West]

Summary: Miss Maple has all of her seeds memorized and is teaching them how to get ready for the world. Each seed will go to different places. She shows them all around and reads to them at night. When winter comes, they gather inside togehter. In the spring, it is very raining and she teaches them to not be scared. In May, Miss Maple sends her seeds out to their own journey. Her guidence and love taught them everything they needed to know.

Evaluation: This book was cute but not one of my favorites. I felt it was too simple.


Teaching Ideas: I would have this book available for students to read or turn it on for quiet time for them to listen to.

[MotherofReaders]

I wanted to like this book. It was a sweet idea, featuring a potentially compelling character. My book lover just wasn’t drawn to it for whatever reason. We may try again in the future.

I think It is worth noting that, despite the description, I do not think this book is similar to Miss Rumphius, which my daughter and I both love. To me, a critical feature of that book is the realism. It feels feels like it could have been a true story (I actually googled to check). From what I recall, this book was more of a nature-based fantasy. I would analogize it more to Elsa Beskow (but modernized and simplified, in a good way).

[The Styling Librarian]

Miss Maple’s Seeds by Eliza Wheeler – What a delicate and beautiful book… loved watching how Miss Maple collected, cultivated, and dispersed the seeds in a loving manner… perfect parallel to educators. Really enjoyed the beautiful pictures, seed specific clarification, and other details in the book. My son was simply captured by the size of Miss Maple and how important and impacting she was, even at a small size.
Favorite line was:
“Take care, my little ones, for the world is big and you are small. But never forget… even the grandest of trees once had to grow up from the smallest of seeds.”

[Meredith]

Miss Maple gathers the lost seeds that did not sprout, cares for them over the winter, and releases them in the spring.

This is a gentle story about a fairy [?] who saves seeds that fail to sprout and nurtures them until the following spring. The refrain she tells the seeds "you are small and the world is big" may be comforting to children who are also small in a world that is big.

Disclosure: Dolly Parton was kind enough to send our family this book through her Imagination Library Foundation.

[Tiffany May Ross]

The illustrations are beautiful but I feel like the story can’t decide weather to be educational or a fairy tale. I was excited to buy this for my daughter because I love gardening with her and this was a story that celebrates the magic of seeds and growth... but then when we read it together she was really confused (and so was I lol). Just not our favorite. Perhaps this story os better for new young readers to read some versus for toddlers being read aloud to. I’ll re-evaluate in a few years.

[Holly Sandefer]

Miss Maple gathers seeds in the summer and cares for them throughout the winter. She then lets her seeds go in the spring, where they can grow and bloom. The book informs readers of seed dispersal methods with beautifully written words. The story also includes a page of twenty different seed types. This is a picture book because it has illustrations on each of its twenty eight pages. Miss Maple's Seeds is appropriate for children in preschool to grade 3.

[Kitty Wibisono]

I can't believe it! With simple yet wonderful stories and gorgeous illustration, this book really gives courage for all of us (not only children) to keep growing wherever we are.... to take the 1st step for everything we do...

My fave quote is:
“Take care, my little ones, for the world is big and you are small. But never forget… even the grandest of trees once had to grow up from the smallest of seeds.”

[Heather]

The illustrations are nice, story is just so-so. All the creatures that come to visit bring food.. they all eat seeds but bring things like fruit rind. Seems the author saw an issue and didn't deal with it. Miss Maple teaches the seeds how to be a seed and shows them how some seeds travel by water, or air yet when they are ready to leave she puts each one in a little boat and they sail away. Cute illustrations but some aspects of the story don't make sense.

[Kireja]

A lovely story that celebrates nature and gives us a gentle reminder that patience, care, and endurance will lead us/the seeds to grow and become stronger. A comforting message, especially in these times.

[Jeremy]

Why are the pretty books always so dumb?

[Lucia Jane]

What a lovely little book! I got this one as a present and it was a nice surprise. The story is informative, sweet and positive and the drawings are beautiful.

—————————

Quotes:

…even the grandest of trees once had to grow up from the smallest of seeds.

———

One summer morning, Miss Maple grabs her willowweed hat, whistles a merry tune, and sets off to follow the faraway call of other lost seeds, waiting to be found.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin]

What a delightful introduction to the growth cycle! This heartwarming story features a fairy who finds lost seeds, nurtures them through the winter, and makes sure that they get planted in the proper environment come spring. As the jacket notes, the story celebrates the potential found in each seed, that “even the grandest tree and most brilliant flower had to grow from the smallest of seeds.” Whimsical illustrations evoke the beauty of nature and the magic of living things.

[Blake Williams]

This book was just given to me by the third grade teacher I was doing observations with on my last day. All the students signed it. I think I will always be emotionally attached to this story and how sweet it is for this reason. This will be a book I read every year to my future students! Maybe on the last day if I can keep myself together…