The Everything Seed

A Story of Beginnings

By Carole Martignacco
Illustrated by Joy Troyer
Edina, MN: Beaver’s Pond Press, 2003
Review by Pat Hoertdoerfer
Children, Family and Intergenerational Programs Director, UUA
Boston, MA

The Everything Seed is a story of the very first seed, the one that unfolded to become everything in the Universe. This story is told by a UU minister and follows scientific theories yet simultaneously acknowledges the spiritual aspect of all creation. The story is a timeless one: the story of creation coming alive. It is simply written with a profound message and accompanied by vibrant beautiful batik illustrations. Reading the story or listening to it, children and adults of all ages are given the opportunity to understand their innate connection with their creative, cosmological origins. This book is a life-affirming treasure celebrating our Seventh Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

The lyrical storyline and the spiral batik images make this book an inspiring and captivating story to be told and retold to people of all ages. The Everything Seed is available on CD with a PowerPoint presentation of the story. Also available: The Everything Seed Resource Guide for use with the picture book. I highly recommend this beautiful book and resource guide to religious educators and ministers, parents, and families for use in worship services, educational programs, and intergenerational events. Available from the UUA Bookstore (www.uua.org/bookstore) and Beaver’s Pond Press (www.BookHouseFulfillment.com) for $17.95 plus shipping and handling.

The Everything Seed Resource Guide

By Carole Martignacco,
Illustrations by Joy Troyer

To be of the Earth is to know the restlessness of being a seed …
–John Soos

This guide includes six theme education sessions – Beginnings – People Have Always Wondered; Seeds – Of Mystery and Miracle; It’s About Time; Loving the Darkness, Living into Light; The Everything Seed – Still Unfolding; At Home in the Universe – Everything IS Relative – with discussion questions, activities and openings and closings. There are six art-play activities to accompany the six themes – Torn Paper Energy, Seed Art, Paint-splotch Galaxies, Batik Banners, Everything Seed Mandalas, Spiral Beads. Creative writing exercises, a cache of quotes and seed-packet of possibilities are components of this resource guide. The appendix includes meditations, music, worship service elements – sermon, story, and ritual – and suggested resources. Available from UUA Bookstore and Dyeing Arts (www.dyeingarts.com).