A Packet of Seeds

Illustrated by Bethanne Andersen

 Published: March 1, 2004, by Greenwillow Books

Pages: 32

Grade Level: K - 5th grade

ISBN:  978-0060090890

A family gets ready to travel west since there are too many people in the east.  It is the typical beginning story of a pioneer family on a westward journey.  However, this story focuses on the mother and her sadness leaving her sister and friends. She does not complain to her husband, nor does she try to dissuade him from his plan.  Annie, the young daughter, watches as her mother packs for the journey.  On the day they leave, Momma’s sister and friends all come early to wish them well. They each press a packet of seeds into her hands.   

When they arrive at their homestead, Pa works to begin building and getting the land and buildings ready for their needs.  Soon Momma has a new baby.  Pa is away getting supplies so Annie runs the two miles to the neighbor for help.  The new baby is born safely, and Annie helps care for the baby since Momma is still so sad.  Momma will not get out of bed, will not name the baby.  She is just too sad.  Pa does not understand what is happening, and neither does Annie, but she is determined to do what she can to help.  She asks Pa to clear a patch of ground for a garden, but he almost brushes her off saying he has too much to do already.  So, Annie and her little brother begin working to do it themselves. Pa notices and Annie explains that Momma needs this.  Together they all work to clear a piece of ground.  One day when the ground is ready to plant, Momma comes to see what has been happening and then tells Annie to get the packets of seeds that her friends gave her.  They plant the seeds and Pa brings a prairie rose bush from the neighbor.  Momma now has a new lease on life and begins to enjoy life on the prairie.   

Deborah Hopkinson was living in Walla Walla, Washington when she wrote this story. She was driving in the valley and was interested in the open fields and lands with one house surrounded by trees and gardens.  She wondered what it might have been like when the settlers moved there and planted those trees and flowers.  Deborah now lives in the Portland, Oregon area with her husband and a variety of pets. 

Bethanne Andersen illustrated this book.  She lives in Boise, Idaho.   

I realize this book is fairly old, but the story is timeless.  It would be a good book to supplement the story of Westward Expansion.  Students might be inspired to write their own story of what life might have been like for a pioneer or the Native Peoples in that time period. 

Reviewed by Audrey Campbell, MED

Reading Specialist and Library Media Center Director

Valley Adventist Schools, Rogers Campus

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