The Bad Seed (Food Group)

K-Gr 2--Corn kernels, pistachios, peanuts, and other seeds gasp and point as a "baaaaaaaaaaad seed" goes by. When others mumble about him, he can hear them because he has "good hearing for a seed." The bad seed tells "long jokes with no punch lines," lies "about pointless stuff," and never puts things back where they belong. But he did not start out that way; it was only after a traumatic experience that he became "a different seed entirely." Through a mixture of watercolor textures and digital paint, Oswald creates a faded cityscape background. The seeds, on the other hand, have stronger colors and expressive faces. (Their sticklike arms and legs and large eyes make them reminiscent of the California Raisins.) The contrast between the bright, sunlit field and the dark interior of a sunflower seed bag highlights the protagonist's downturn in fortune. Young readers will find the list of all the seed's offenses amusing, and the illustration of the flies and stench surrounding him (he never washes his hands or feet) is sure to elicit laughter. Even the very youngest can follow along as the pictures provide evidence of the seed's bad behavior and the reactions of those around him. This is a story that opens up dialogue about our reactions to life experiences, the consequences of our choices, and the chance to make a change for the better. VERDICT This charmingly illustrated book would be a comical read-aloud and useful for class or family discussions about manners, behavior, and reputation.--Suzanne Costner, Fairview Elementary School, Maryville, TN

A sunflower seed is certain that he's "baaaaaaaaaaad," and his grim scowl, shown in frightening close-up, certainly seems to indicate incorrigibility. But as the seed catalogues his wickedness ("I'm late to everything.... I lie about pointless stuff. I cut in line. Every time"), it becomes clear that his problem is actually impulsiveness and thoughtlessness--the kind of misbehavior that children struggle with daily. John (Penguin Problems) gives the seed a sympathetic backstory (packaged as a snack food, he barely escaped being eaten) that, along with his eventual determination to change his stripes, should keep readers engaged, even if the turning point is abrupt and the text gets a little Dr. Phil ("I'm ready to be happy.... I'm taking it one day at a time"). Working in digitized watercolors, Oswald (Mingo the Flamingo) makes this antihero's angst vivid and touching, and the world the seed moves in--a metropolis populated by seeds that include peanuts, coconuts, and corn kernels--adds a playful counterpoint of background detail and comedy. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. Illustrator's agent: Kirsten Hall, Catbird Agency. (Aug.)