A Seed Is Sleepy: questions to ask and activities to try
A seed is sleepy... and adventurous, and inventive. A Seed Is Sleepy is a poetic, beautifully illustrated introduction to seeds and how they grow.
What age is it for? A Seed Is Sleepy is best for ages 4–7. Good for: How seeds sleep, travel and grow.
A Seed Is Sleepy (Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long)
- Age
- 4-7
- Best for
- How seeds sleep, travel and grow
Read a page or two, then look at real seeds from fruit or a packet. Compare their sizes and shapes.
What it helps with
- How seeds grow into plants
- How seeds travel
- Looking closely at nature
- Science vocabulary
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “Why is a seed sleepy?”
- “How do seeds travel?”
- “Which was the biggest seed?”
- “Which was the smallest?”
- “What do seeds need to grow?”
- “What seeds can we find at home?”
5-minute activities to try together
Seed sort
Collect seeds from fruit and vegetables and sort them by size.
Sprout jar
Grow a bean in a jar on damp kitchen roll and watch it sprout.
Free printables: A Seed Is Sleepy worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
The Tiny Seed (Eric Carle)
- Best for
- Patience, feeling small, and keeping going
- Age
- 3-7
We Planted a Pumpkin (Rob Ramsden)
- Best for
- Growing something, waiting and caring for it
- Age
- 2-6
Flower Block (Lanisha Butterfield and Hoang Giang)
- Best for
- Nature, wonder and growing things in the city
- Age
- 3-6
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.