Description

By (author) Mistry, Poonam

Short /annotation:

A gorgeously lyrical folktale about the importance of protecting our environment by Greenaway-shortlisted Poonam Mistry.

Bear lives in the bountiful forest, filled with breathtaking flowers and plants, and trees that tower up to the sun. Bear hopes that by the time he wakes up, his determination will help the forest renew.

A gorgeously lyrical folktale about the importance of protecting our environment by Greenaway-shortlisted Poonam Mistry.

Bear lives in the bountiful forest, filled with breathtaking flowers and plants, and trees that tower up to the sun. One night, the trees and plants disappear and when the animals wake up, they begin to flee the forest in grief.

But when Bear finds a lonely seed, he works tirelessly to help it grow, seeking words of advice from the few animals that pass by. He shades it from the harsh wind and cold snowy season, but nature”s power is unavoidable and soon it is time for him to hibernate. Bear hopes that by the time he wakes up, his determination will help the forest renew.

Review quote:
Mistry incorporates intricate patterns into her animals and landscapes, and uses a colour palette of greens, purples, browns and yellow, making this a uniquely beautiful picture book.

Review quote:
I love Poonam Mistry”s illustrations. . . Her new book, The Bear and the Seed, has a fable-like quality. . . Beautifully written, The Bear and the Seed is an engaging story that gently explores themes of environmental care and the ways small actions can make a difference.

Biographical note:
Poonam Mistry is a illustrator based in Leicester. Her style incorporates her love of nature and her Indian roots and explores the relationships between pattern, shapes and colour. Alongside her illustrations, she tells powerful stories that are full of heart and packed with fable-like messages for children to hold onto. Her first book with Templar, The Midnight Panther, was published in 2022 and was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Illustration in 2024. She has also been shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal three times; in 2019 for her debut picture book, You”re Safe with Me, in 2020 for You”re Snug with Me and in 2021 for How the Stars Came to Be.

Promotional headline:
An inspirational folktale about conservation and protection of the environment by Greenaway-shortlisted Poonam Mistry.

Feature:
Created by Greenaway-shortlisted and Carnegie-longlisted illustrator Poonam Mistry, nominated in 2024 for her other Templar book, The Midnight Panther

Feature:
Themes of conservation and protecting the environment, and a strong message that small actions that you can take will make a big difference.

Feature:
The steps Bear takes in the book reflect the real stages needed for plants to grow in real life, offering gentle learning and advice for young readers to follow.