The Seed of Doubt by Irena Brignull illustrated by Richard Jones

A young boy lives with his father on the farm. He dreams of the wider world. "A world where he could do anything and be anyone." The boy plants a seed and it grows into a huge tree. But as the tree grows so do the boy's fears and doubts. His beautiful optimism about the future dwindles into pessimism and a deep reluctance to take any risks. Luckily his father is kind and wise. 

"Doubt is like a seed. It starts off tiny but it sure grows fast." BUT you need to "remember what I've always told you? You can do anything, anything you want."

Image Source: Painted Mouse

There is a fine line in picture books between having something an adult (author) would like to share with children or something an author thinks might assist them - some words of wisdom and other authors who write books that are laden-down, burdened with didactic messages. Books that are so heavy with good intentions that any joy that should come from reading, any beauty that can come from an exquisitely told tale - is lost. 

Didactic: intended to teach people a moral lesson; something that is didactic is intended to teach people something, especially a moral lesson.

Luckily The Seed of Doubt is not a heavily didactic story. It is a gentle fable of hope, love and the importance of a positive attitude. 

This is not a book about climbing trees even though that might be your impression from the cover. Instead this is a book about:

• Following your dreams
• Giving yourself permission to take risks
• Belief in your own abilities
• Courage
• Parental love and guidance
• Patience
• Goal setting

When you read through this list and then read this book I hope you will agree this is a book to share with a group of older Primary students - they are sure to be inspired. It could even be a book to read at the start of a new school year.

Publisher blurb: A little boy dreams of a world beyond the farm where he lives – a world full of mountain ranges, oceans and cities, where he could do anything. But one day he plants a seed from which doubts start to grow. Instead of thinking of all that he could do, he thinks more of what he could not. Can he overcome his fears and chase his dreams?

Read an interview with the author.

Movingly told is this beautiful story of a boy’s journey back to self-belief, equally movingly illustrated by Richard Jones. ...  It’s all too easy to let those small seeds of self-doubt take root and this book is a lovely starting point for talking about faith in oneself, determination and positiveness either at home or in the classroom. Red Reading Hub

Here are two other books illustrated by Richard Jones:

The Proper Way to meet a Hedgehog

Whale in a Fishbowl

The illustrations in The Seed of Doubt are very special. Thinking about the importance of illustrations in a picture book here are a few quotes from Evaluating Illustrations in Reviews of International Picture Books  Cheri Anderson, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona:

Illustrations create a depth of meaning within picture books that are essential to the reading experience for that book.

Through skilful use of visual elements, such as colour, line, space, and perspective, the illustrator engages the emotions of the reader and directs the reader’s attention. 

... we believe picture books involve an exquisite weave of both words and images