PPBF: Max's Magic Seeds

Today's PPBF struck a chord with me because it's about planting seeds. And since the National School Counseling Week theme this week has been Building Magical Futures, I thought this seed story the 

perfect complement.

Title: Max's Magic Seeds

Author: Geraldine Elschner

Illustrator: Jean-Pierre Corderoch

Publisher: Minedition

Date:  June 21, 2007

Suitable for ages: K through 3rd grade

Themes: kindness, happiness, nature

Fiction

Brief synopsis:  Max's uncle Bill, a renown botanist, gives him a bag of seeds to scatter beauty on his route to school and beyond, then urges him to keep it a secret. As the flowers grew, people seemed happier, more cheerful. They went out more and took walks to enjoy the foliage. When the Mayor of the town announces that the town had won the Power of Flowers contest, how did they figure out that Max was their flower magician?

Opening Page:  My name is Max, and today is my birthday. That's me sitting by the window, waiting. All the guests have arrived, except one is still missing - my favorite uncle, Uncle Bill. "He's never on time!" complained Aunt Betty. "Yeah, maybe so," I said. "But he always shows up." She knew I was right ... "And he brings the funniest gifts of anybody!" I added.

Resources:  

Read a Kid Review {here} and a review at Favorable Food {here}.

Play the song Today I'm Gonna Try To Change The World by Canadian artist Johnny Reid. Ask kids how Max's seeds changed his world. Find out what they could do to change their world for the better!

Show students the front inside cover and ask them to describe Max's town. Mine said things like damp, dull, sad, boring, empty, unhappy, not welcoming, uncolorful, depressing, closed. Ask them to predict what might happen to this town in a story called Max's Magic Seeds. Do they think that seeds can really be magic? Why or why not?

Then read the story aloud.

Once the story is over and you arrive inside the back cover, show students what happened because of Max. Ask them to compare and contrast the two pictures with a double bubble graphic organizer. What do think they that the flowers might represent? Mine answered that inquiry with words like peace, happiness, joy, love, character, kindness, cheerfulness, attitude, respect, a counselor. That was perfect, because my final question for them was, 

"How are counselors like magic?"

They were pretty clear that counselors, like magic, could help fix feelings and friendship, prevent problems and promote peace-making, foster desired behaviors and fill buckets. It was fun to listen to them making that text-to-self connection about the role school counselors play in their lives. Like Max's seeds, one of them explained, we add color to their school. What a fun job that is, to beautify the world, child by child, seed by seed.

Hold a Power of Flowers essay & drawing contest to see what your students might say about the power of flowers to make a difference. Get some seeds and start planting. Find out which areas of your campus or community students think need beautifying. Write persuasive letters and get the permission you need.

Just like the necklace that I received from my school family says, I'm so blessed to work as a school counselor. 

Thank you for celebrating with my colleagues and me this week!

Want to add more fun titles to your list? 

Head on over to Susanna Leonard Hill's blog next.