Affiliate Links Included
Have your kids asked you to explain suffering?
If they haven’t yet, believe me, they will! Why does a loving God allow us to suffer? This is a question that has been repeated and pondered throughout the ages. In The Seed Who Was Afraid to be Planted
This book is so helpful in explaining suffering to children.
Like the seed, we feel forsaken and afraid when God allows us to experience suffering, death, loss, and pain. Like the seed, we don’t want to go down to that dark place and feel abandoned. In this parable of a tale, we are reminded that God only allows us to suffer to bring us to a more beautiful, wonderful place than we could imagine. Whether we see the fruit of walking through darkness in this life, or don’t know the why until heaven, this story reminds us we can trust that God has a perfect plan to bring us to true freedom and peace.
The Seed Who Was Afraid To Be Planted can also be helpful in explaining death.
This world is all we know, so leaving it can be a scary thought. Like the seed, we like our drawer, our little box of known experience. Like the seed, some kids find the idea of being buried a terrifying thought. This story helps ease those fears with the reminder that dying is just the beginning of a new, better life, beyond our wildest dreams of beauty and freedom.
What is freedom?
The seed tells the gardener not to plant him: “I’m scared to be planted, I want to be free.” For the seed, freedom is being allowed to do what he wants: stay in his drawer. But by the end of the book, the seed realizes true freedom is found by following God’s (the gardener’s) plan and allowing himself to die so he may live. In the end of the story, the seed, now a tree, has found peace, freedom, and a life without fear.
The whole family will enjoy The Seed Who Was Afraid To Be Planted.
Although this story is written for younger children, the high quality illustrations and timeless parable-like story will make it a favorite with all ages. Our entire family enjoyed this book with its reminder that God always has a perfect plan for us. Although many other great books on suffering have been written targeting adults, this simple story is perfect for explaining to children why God allows suffering.
The Seed Who Was Afraid to Be Planted
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by Sophia Press. I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
is a beautiful account of life in the womb and birth from the unborn baby’s perspective.
is a sweet story about a little boy helping his baby brother with all the teddy bears friends give the baby, then realizing the couch is getting too crowded for him. It ends with a special message that there is always still room on mom’s lap for the older sibling!
has some of the cutest illustrations, and a great encouraging message for active little ones! We also love its sequel, 
, in which Spencer discovers it is much funner to play with his sister Mia than alone.
, Alfie describes his little sister in a touching manner, matter of factly acknowledging her faults, but focusing on the fun of playing with her.
is a celebration of the special bond between siblings. Big brother and little brother occasionally disagree, but overall take care of each other.
is a wonderful story about all the different meanings of “giving.” Described by a little girl and illustrated by the ever-charming Shirley Hughes.
is possibly my favorite book for two year olds. Little Sal and little bear learn that they should stay close to their mommies, even if yummy berries are tempting!
is a luminous bedtime story we love describing a dream voyage on a moon-boat.
is by the great Margaret Wise Brown. Animals around the world settle down for bed in their own ways as their mothers urge them to close their eyes.
is another favorite by Margaret Wise Brown with lovely illustrations from Caldecott Medalist Jerry Pinkney. This book describes the coming of winter and how various farm animals prepare for the cold and wind.
is a nature-focused variation on the traditional rhyme, and is the version we sing in our house.
is a toddler favorite about the farm animals trying to wake up the sleepy farmer.
is a simple but beloved story in which Alfie gets new boots and solves the mystery of why they feel funny.
, is a cautionary tale warning children against locking doors. But don’t worry it has a happy ending!
, one of the most beautiful picture books we own, is the story of a little lamb helping an even littler bird.
, the spider works despite all distracions to build a beautiful web. Lift the flaps on each page are fun for little ones.
is a charming recounting by a loving mother of her day with her little girl. This sweet book is a must read to your little girl!
is one for the daddies and sons! A little boy and his father play at a pond, using their imaginations to make an enjoyable day even funner.
, Jesse Bear, a very active little bear, learns about all the times one shouldn’t get wet, and finally when one should!
are, as always, worthy of lengthy study. In this story Hedgehog struggles to get untangled from a stocking, and Lisa tries to find her missing clothes.
is a good old story of a little girl caring for her dolls. It’s sure to delight any little mommy!
details the adventure of a very curious little kitten! It is a good cautionary tale to show the dangers of too much curiosity.
is a modern tale with illustrations to delight little princesses and a fanciful story of a little girl going on a magic carpet ride to find the perfect gift for her mother.
is a delectable, gentle story about a little mouse trying to get a huge cupcake home, with some help from his hungry friends.
is a hilarious little book about Pamela’s lengthy preparations to take her non-existent dog for a walk.
is a beautifully illustrated little board book talking about Jesus’ childhood.
is a sweet board book which shows the barn animals preparing for baby Jesus’ arrival.
and 
are part of a new series of board books from Katie Warner aimed at exposing the littlest Catholics to religious artwork and Catholic teaching! These are quality books that would make great gifts for a Baptism or baby shower.
is a short rhyming board book about a very hungry bear.
, always a favorite with my children, is a fanciful story of some animal friends’ trip.
helps teach little ones about their senses as baby experiences the sounds around him. Lots of onomatopoeic words keep the youngest readers engaged.
, with its beautiful illustrations of farm life, is a simple story of a father soothing his son to sleep.
is a story about a little boy searching for the perfect gift for his mother with some help from his animal friends.
and 
stories are somewhat repetitive but so loved by my children that I had to include them!
‘s gentle rhymes and clever illustrations make it another much loved and well worn toddler favorite around here. It is a rollicking little tale of a boy and bear searching for berries.
is a classic Margaret Wise Brown story, less well known than 
but equally enjoyable. Big Red Barn describes barnyard life, while Goodnight, Moon focuses on a room at bedtime.
is a great early book because it provides sensory stimulation which can engage a reluctant listener. Siblings Paul and Judy explore their house along with your child.