• Age: 4 to 8
• Grade: p to 3

A Kids' Indie Next List pick! Laugh-out-loud humor and a tender friendship blossom in author-illustrator Monica Arnaldo’s charming picture book about a lonely raccoon and a glowing seed, and the world’s most important question: Can this seed grow cheeseburgers?

Grub is a lonely racoon. Rumbling in the trash. Looking for food.

Seed is, well, a seed! Patiently waiting in the trash. Hoping someone will plant it.

When the two finally meet, they realize they might be able to help each other! Grub has just one big question first: What will Seed grow? Could Seed grow Grub’s favorite food, mouthwatering cheeseburgers? Seed isn’t sure what a cheeseburger is exactly, but . . . maybe!

And so begins a hilarious friendship following two unlikely strangers learning more about the other and discovering the pressure that comes with fulfilling expectations. Author-illustrator Monica Arnaldo will leave readers giggling and clamoring for more in this charming story that celebrates the unexpected—and how the most special friendships bloom only when we are unapologetically ourselves.

MONICA ARNALDO a écrit et illustré plusieurs albums comme Petits frères et petites soeurs, Time for Bed’s Story et Margo Thinks Twice. Son travail se retrouve aussi dans des romans pour les élèves du cycle intermédiaire et des magazines pour enfants. Elle a étudié l’illustration au Sheridan College, où elle a trouvé sa passion pour les récits illustrés. Elle vit avec sa famille près de Montréal, au Québec.

Monica Arnaldo grew up in Ottawa where she was sometimes allowed inside her older brother's forts. Drawn to illustration by her passion for children's books, she combines a variety of media to create images full of character. Monica is the author-illustrator of three picture books. She and her husband live in Montreal with their daughter.

Monica Arnaldo's profile page

“There’s a lot of profundity within these whimsical pages—about growing up, overcoming disappointment through acceptance, and valuing relationships over personal needs—which should plant some hearty seeds of conversation for readers of all ages.” — Publishers Weekly

“Emotionally authentic and sweet without being saccharine. Silly and heartwarming in equal measure.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Audiences will enjoy the clever banter between the new friends and the literal visual feast the illustrations offer up. Aspiring botanists and young foodies will appreciate this quirky little tale.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

"Refreshingly novel for its unexpected duo of characters. Will amuse young listeners. A delightfully quirky tale about an uncommon pairing of characters that offers light humor and guileless dialogue as they learn to treasure their blossoming friendship." — School Library Journal

“This is a sweet tale of slow-blossoming friendship and unconditional acceptance, of celebrating differences and being gentle with others. Highly original and excellent… the illustrations present delightful layers of imaginative, whimsical joy.” — Booklist