Review by Booklist Review
Featuring simply rendered prose and colorful line drawings in a pastel palette, this follows a young boy's experiences growing a plant from an avocado pit. After his father removes the pit from the fruit, the boy preps it with "One glass of water. Two careful hands. Three pointy toothpicks." Soon, it develops roots, but despite watering it, putting it on a sunny windowsill, even singing to it, the seed doesn't grow any further, leading to "Three frustrated words: I . . . give . . . up!" Eventually, to his delight, shoots appear and he transplants it outdoors. And, as boy grows, so does the plant. Dunklee's spare, descriptive text lends well to read-alouds, and Sookocheff's cartoon illustrations depict components of the boy's project, as well as the boy's ubiquitous, supportive cat, who sometimes lends a helping paw. While the details are specific to the avocado project, children will likely appreciate the sympathetic and encouraging approach to coping with "Waiting. Waiting. Waiting." An accessible gardening title that may inspire children to try something similar.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this quiet story told in threes about being observant, patient, and thankful for small gifts, a child prepares an avocado seed to germinate, using "One glass of water. Two careful hands. Three pointy toothpicks." As soon as he sees "One root! Two roots! Three roots!" he transfers it to a pot. Sookocheff's spare, white, cream, and gray illustrations make the pot a focal point, emphasizing the boy's anticipation and frustration at the tree's slow growth. After the boy grumpily declares: "I... give... up!", a stem breaks through. Sweetly, as the boy plants the avocado seed in the soil, he offers "three magic words: 'I love you.''" Dunklee captures the special joy of seeing a personal project come to fruition. Ages 3-7. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-This book celebrates the act of bringing forth the new life held within a seed by adding water, providing sunlight and soil, and waiting patiently. Actions are described in three steps, three-word phrases are used, and words are often repeated three times. The narrative begins when a young boy retrieves an avocado pit that squirts away from his father. When the child pokes the seed with toothpicks and places it at the top of a glass of water, the action is simply described: "One glass of water. Two careful hands. Three pointy toothpicks. Poke. Poke. Poke." When nothing seems to be happening after the seed is transplanted, the boy undertakes "three drastic measures": he sings to the seed, he plants two lucky coins near it, and he brings three supportive friends to stand guard (his cat and two toys). The story ends with the avocado tree at three years old. The storytelling is gentle, and the palette is muted, dominated by large white spaces and blues and greens with splashes of terra-cotta. VERDICT With its subtle repetition of words and its focus on the concepts of one, two, and three, this is a delightful teaching book for young children who love nature.-Sally James, South Hillsborough Elementary School, CA
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A young child experiences the work, waiting, and reward of growing an avocado tree from seed.In fewer than 150 words, Dunklee traces the path from seed to tree. When an avocado seed pops free during dinner prep, a smiling child retrieves it, pokes it with toothpicks for supports, and sets it atop a glass of water in hopes that it will sprout. The child and a pet cat work side by side to nurture the new plant. Each double-page spread captures one step in the journey that includes both the practical (potting, watering, ensuring sunlight, and replanting outside) and the whimsical (an encouraging song, lucky coins, and "supportive friends"). Counting to three creates the gentle rhythm of the story. Actions are often completed in three steps and described in three words: "One pot. Two careful hands. Three scoops of soil. Pat, pat, pat." Similarly, three words, sometimes repeated, emphasize key emotions, as "IGIVEUP!" gives way to "HOORAY! HOORAY! HOORAY!" Simple illustrations, primarily in soft shades of blue, yellow, and avocado, show steps that readers could duplicate at home. The cat's attention (or inattention) adds humor; its glowering inclusion with a stuffed bunny and toy robot as one of the "supportive friends" is particularly funny. The child and their parent present white.This quiet book effectively describes the meditative, sometimes-frustrating process that growing a plant entails. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
