Mara Plants a Seed

Winner of the 2026 Green Earth Book Award for excellence in environmental storytelling, recognized for its vital role in teaching the next generation about stewardship through the power of community and environmental interdependence.

Selected as a 2026 Teacher Favorite (K-2nd Grade), educators highly recommend this book for its beautiful call to action, which empowers young readers to grow their impact and make a difference in their communities

How does a handful of seeds turn into a garden?

With lyrical language and blooming illustrations, Mara Plants a Seed demonstrates the transformative power of simple actions. By cleaning up an empty lot and planting fifty sunflower seeds, Mara begins to create a flourishing, wild garden—but she doesn’t do it alone.

Little does Mara know, flying insects, digging worms, hungry birds, noisy neighbors, and other secret gardeners are working to help transform the lot into something even more beautiful than she imagined. Rain storms wash away seeds, but rabbits leave some behind. Some helpers nibble up weeds, and others fertilize the soil. Each time Mara visits the garden, she’s expecting to see her sunflowers growing. But as the flowers blossom, she uncovers the exciting secrets waiting for her!

Mara Plants a Seed inspires young readers to develop a deeper connection to the environment around them and study the many ways natural processes and ordinary animals help plants grow and thrive. Children will watch as Mara’s simple action of restoring an empty lot transforms a community and the beautiful way the garden bursts to life.