A seed needs sun

Italian illustrator Dogi paints with an eye toward detail, be it the ragged edges of a decaying autumn leaf or the nubbly skin of a toad, in a board book that examines the various "needs" involved in turning a seed into a flower. Riggs limits the text to simple, repetitive sentences ("Dirt needs water. Roots need room"), keeping the focus on full-bleed images that showcase activity above and below the soil; worms and a mole burrow underground, while the focal seed sprouts strong, green leaves and delicate yellow flowers. An attractive study of the process of growth. Ages 2-up. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

A seed grows into a flower as a variety of animals visit.The gentle text traces the plant's life cycle: "A seed needs a hole. // Dirt needs water. // Roots need room." The text advances spread by double-page spread until the final one reveals the yellow flower in full bloom: "A seed needs sun / to become a flower." A cross-section snapshot of each stage of development in superbly detailed art charts the flower's growth. A blue jay, a snail, a mole, a dragonfly, a toad, a couple of butterflies and a mouse visit the budding plant in turn. Frustratingly, none of the flora and fauna is identified, but Dogi's images are lovely and lush and will undoubtedly pique the curiosity of budding botanists.Natural history made graceful. (Board book. 18 mos.-3) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.