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If You Hold a Seed
Something magical happens when you plant a dream with a seed. With plenty of love and patience, they can blossom into an extraordinary gift. To be shared with those you love and those with big dreams, this book encourages us to never give up.
33 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2013
3 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
About the author
Elly MacKay
29 books99 followersI’m Elly MacKay, a.k.a Theater Clouds. I live in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada with my husband Simon and little ones, Lily and Koen. I live a short drive from where I grew up – in an old church in Big Bay. I am an artist, making scenes using paper, light and photography. I refer to it as paper theater, lightbox illustrations or illuminated papercraft… It has been several years, but I am still working on a name for this technique.
I went to the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and the University of Canterbury for illustration, printmaking and electronic art. However, it wasn’t until the birth of my daughter Lily, that I began working in this way.
Well, sort of…
I used to spend a great deal of time as a kid making dioramas and tunnel books. As a teen, I sold them at 1st Hand Gallery in Toronto. I stopped making them when I went off to art school to explore other interests. After graduating I was enjoying working at a gallery but the birth of my daughter sparked something in me. I wanted to create things in the way that I had in my youth. I wanted to make things for the simple pleasure of making… to create my own little worlds and explore childhood again through my daughter’s eyes. I told my husband about my wish and he made me a beautiful little theater to work in. These illuminated paper scenes are a return to working with layers of paper like the dioramas and tunnel books I had made as a kid, but with the addition of lighting and photography. I set up layers of drawings on a small scale in my very tiny stage. They are wonderfully fun to create. You can take a look at my process page, to see how I make them.
I use this technique to create photographic prints and illustrations for children’s books. At times I have worked on a larger scale, creating installations. In the future I hope to do some animation as well. Simon recently made an animation table so hopefully I will be able to show you my simple stop-motion animations. I take inspiration from several sources:
My work often plays with the themes of childhood, and the ephemeral. I look to my own childhood, and to my experience as a mother.
I have a fascination with Victorian curiosities, and set design. I love anything that involves a trick of the eye – zoetropes, paper theaters, tunnel books, pop-ups, etc. As a teen, I took a trip to meet members of The Movable Book Society with my Mom, Joan Irvine. She is a paper-engineer and author. The trip was an education in papercraft.
I am also always looking to the land and weather here on Georgian Bay for inspiration.
ETSY:
https://www.etsy.com/people/theatercl...
https://www.etsy.com/shop/theaterclouds
I went to the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and the University of Canterbury for illustration, printmaking and electronic art. However, it wasn’t until the birth of my daughter Lily, that I began working in this way.
Well, sort of…
I used to spend a great deal of time as a kid making dioramas and tunnel books. As a teen, I sold them at 1st Hand Gallery in Toronto. I stopped making them when I went off to art school to explore other interests. After graduating I was enjoying working at a gallery but the birth of my daughter sparked something in me. I wanted to create things in the way that I had in my youth. I wanted to make things for the simple pleasure of making… to create my own little worlds and explore childhood again through my daughter’s eyes. I told my husband about my wish and he made me a beautiful little theater to work in. These illuminated paper scenes are a return to working with layers of paper like the dioramas and tunnel books I had made as a kid, but with the addition of lighting and photography. I set up layers of drawings on a small scale in my very tiny stage. They are wonderfully fun to create. You can take a look at my process page, to see how I make them.
I use this technique to create photographic prints and illustrations for children’s books. At times I have worked on a larger scale, creating installations. In the future I hope to do some animation as well. Simon recently made an animation table so hopefully I will be able to show you my simple stop-motion animations. I take inspiration from several sources:
My work often plays with the themes of childhood, and the ephemeral. I look to my own childhood, and to my experience as a mother.
I have a fascination with Victorian curiosities, and set design. I love anything that involves a trick of the eye – zoetropes, paper theaters, tunnel books, pop-ups, etc. As a teen, I took a trip to meet members of The Movable Book Society with my Mom, Joan Irvine. She is a paper-engineer and author. The trip was an education in papercraft.
I am also always looking to the land and weather here on Georgian Bay for inspiration.
ETSY:
https://www.etsy.com/people/theatercl...
https://www.etsy.com/shop/theaterclouds
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
August 7, 2013
This book is like an optimistic version of The Giving Tree. Rather than using the tree's resources, the boy grows alongside the tree until both are "fruitful". I loved the mixed-media illustratons - very fresh and perfect for the metaphor.
March 21, 2013
I love the illustrations! They compliment the story so well. There is a video on youtube, I think, showing how Elly Macay creates and photographs her illustrations - it was fascinating.
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July 26, 2017I really enjoyed this inspiring picture book. I found myself smiling while reading every page. The excitement and anticipation that can be felt while reading is also great. I really think this book is one of my new favorites because it gives hope to readers that with waiting comes reward. This inspiring message would be great to teach in a classroom setting as well. I can really see myself using this book in my classroom one day because it also encourages children to never give up on their dreams.
April 19, 2019
What a beautiful children's book! The illustrations are lovely. The story follows a little boy who has a seed to plant and what happens to the seed when it is planted. Wonderful book for kids of all ages. I highly recommend it.
August 25, 2013
A debut book from a young and talented author and illustrator.
A simple book, beautifully simple, about planting seeds, waiting with patience for these small, hard, round things to grow from their submerged hiding place. There are few words, but the illustrations guide us through the seasons of the year as the seed develops into a plant while we wait. This book lends itself to life lessons of patience and watching for the gift through faith. Waiting is hard, but worth the time for the beauty of the gift.
Ms. MacKay's art is wonderfully unique. She makes tiny scenes using a variety of papers and inks, layering the background papers, placing the tiny cut-out paper with ink characters inside a miniature theater. She adjusts lighting, as in a theatrical setting, rearranges the various elements in this tiny theater before she begins to take photographs which end up in print form, inside books for others and now in her own book. She may leave the theater in diorama form too.
Reading Level: 3 years
You can find much more about her on her website: http://www.ellymackay.com/ or on her blog: http://ellymackay.wordpress.com/
She has her prints for sale @ http://www.etsy.com/shop/theatercloud...
And she can be found on Twitter: @theaterclouds - https://twitter.com/theaterclouds
Elly MacKay lives by Georgian Bay in Ontario, Canada with her husband and children. She attended Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. The Ontario Arts Council has recently given her a grant to expand her creative delights. Her art and story has been published in magazines, including "O", "La Petite", and "Flow Magazine". Her artwork is sold in several stores including her Etsy.com shop, Theater Clouds.
A simple book, beautifully simple, about planting seeds, waiting with patience for these small, hard, round things to grow from their submerged hiding place. There are few words, but the illustrations guide us through the seasons of the year as the seed develops into a plant while we wait. This book lends itself to life lessons of patience and watching for the gift through faith. Waiting is hard, but worth the time for the beauty of the gift.
Ms. MacKay's art is wonderfully unique. She makes tiny scenes using a variety of papers and inks, layering the background papers, placing the tiny cut-out paper with ink characters inside a miniature theater. She adjusts lighting, as in a theatrical setting, rearranges the various elements in this tiny theater before she begins to take photographs which end up in print form, inside books for others and now in her own book. She may leave the theater in diorama form too.
Reading Level: 3 years
You can find much more about her on her website: http://www.ellymackay.com/ or on her blog: http://ellymackay.wordpress.com/
She has her prints for sale @ http://www.etsy.com/shop/theatercloud...
And she can be found on Twitter: @theaterclouds - https://twitter.com/theaterclouds
Elly MacKay lives by Georgian Bay in Ontario, Canada with her husband and children. She attended Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. The Ontario Arts Council has recently given her a grant to expand her creative delights. Her art and story has been published in magazines, including "O", "La Petite", and "Flow Magazine". Her artwork is sold in several stores including her Etsy.com shop, Theater Clouds.
April 12, 2013
The seasons pass with each turn of the page. The short sentences help move the pages along as they describe the weather and the growth of a single tree. Though you will linger after reading the text as you enjoy the stunning illustrations. The creator used a fascinating layered technique with photography and lighting to invoke the atmosphere of the seasons. Please visit her website to learn more about this as I know my words can't do it justice. http://www.ellymackay.com/process/ I wish the artist was in the US so this could be a Caldecott contender next year, but alas, she is Canadian!
February 14, 2013
Dreamy and nostalgic and I love the idea of finding magic in little things.
April 3, 2013
Wonderful illustrations; not so intriguing storyline.
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May 23, 2013Beautiful illustrations.
February 11, 2014
I loved the illustrations and enjoyed the idea of watching something grow.
March 18, 2014
Follows a seed as it moves from young sprout to a tree. I like how it shows the changes in the seasons.
Read
March 16, 2015Lovely illustrations!
May 28, 2018
Early reader picture book which chronicles the life of a seed. Very few words, quick read. Kinder, 1st or 2nd grade -- or as an intro only.
The pictures are more of the boy then the plant- in some instances it is difficult to tell what type of plant it will become. There is the bit about bees spreading magic... but flowers are never seen (?)
You could have children talk about why that might not be accurate for this book.
The pictures are more of the boy then the plant- in some instances it is difficult to tell what type of plant it will become. There is the bit about bees spreading magic... but flowers are never seen (?)
You could have children talk about why that might not be accurate for this book.
September 8, 2023
This is a heartwarming book that encourages the reader to see the bigger picture of what a seed can become. The boy plants a seed and many years later as an adult, he is able to share the now grown tree with his family. This is a great book for teaching students about what a plant needs to grow and the natural changes that occur throughout the year. This is a great simple books for early readers!
October 19, 2017
First heard of Elly MacKay on Jamie Ridler's podcast
( "CLwJ 269: Visual artist Elly MacKay shares what she wishes someone had told her after art school!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IoJk... " ) and was inspired to get this little volume. Sweet.
( "CLwJ 269: Visual artist Elly MacKay shares what she wishes someone had told her after art school!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IoJk... " ) and was inspired to get this little volume. Sweet.
December 7, 2017
This is a really good story about a boy about holding a seed making a wish and then planting it, watching as the tree grows through all the seasons, and all emotions as they both grow up the boy realizes the true lessons is how to be attentive.
August 5, 2020
A little boy plants a tree. He takes care of it, watches it grow and then experiences the joy it brings through all his stages of life. It was a really beautifully illustrated book with simple words and I could watch my kid's eager eyes waiting to see what was going to happen next.
June 17, 2024
Beautiful book that starts with a child making a wish and planting a seed. After lots of waiting, over the years, we see the tree grow. Finally, at the end of the story, his wish comes true! (He and his child sit in the tree together.)
August 17, 2024
Beautiful book that starts with a child making a wish and planting a seed. After lots of waiting, over the years, we see the tree grow. Finally, at the end of the story, his wish comes true! (He and his child sit in the tree together.)
November 6, 2017
Wonderfully paced, beautifully illustrated. Great for the K-4 classroom. Lovely explanation of the art by the author on youtube.
January 8, 2018
Beautiful children's book. Artist combines collage and painting to create stunning images.
April 28, 2018
Gorgeous illustrations!!
May 3, 2018
The tale of waiting and waiting (and waiting) for a wish to come true when you plant a seed. Beautiful words.
November 8, 2019
Beautiful!
August 4, 2020
This mixed-media picture book was beautiful and I'd definitely use it in a changing-of-the-seasons, gardening, nature storytime series.
December 4, 2022
I like the brief steps that a seed goes through. It may take more than one season for a plant to grow.
April 11, 2023
A little young for my kids, probably would be better for 4-5 year olds. But very sweet with whimsical, beautiful illustrations. Even looking through just the illustrations makes the book worth it.
November 4, 2023
A sweet story about a seed with beautiful illustrations.
November 29, 2023
A sweet book about a tree life cycle and the changing of the seasons.
January 11, 2025
so cute
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews