This is the tale of Cisco, the seed, and his friends who are content with living Beneath in the dim, cozy underground. Traveling to the Above sounds daunting and dangerous. Eventually though Cisco experiences the telltale, terrifying symptoms of growing and begins to stretch upward. When he finally tumbles into the sunshine he finds it is not at all like what had been whispered but is instead a garden, dazzling with brilliant color, sweet scents and balmy breezes.
Cisco's adventure can be useful for parents and therapists who want to engage a child in conversation about death or any other loss or change that is causing a child anxiety. Teachers can also use this story as an entertaining, imaginative foray into the study of plant germination!
It has 32 pen and ink and watercolor illustrations by the author/illustrator, Jean Whitney, a coloring book that may be downloaded, a print (giclee) of the watercolored garden that may be ordered, and discussion questions for families and therapists.
