The Dandelion’s Tale
Margaret Anne Suggs
Graffeg

In this allegorical tale about migration, a group of once happy dandelions is forced to move in the face of tools, machines and weed-killing chemicals.

With their spirits low, they hear the words of a calling breeze that gives them the courage to move from the persecution of their homeland field and float upwards. They drift over the walls, fields, meadows of the countryside, higher over city rooftops, up, up traversing mountains, cliffs and seemingly endless seas of blue.

Finally they find a peaceful place and with hope renewed, land in a green grassy environment to begin life anew;

a tranquil place where the bees and other minibeasts make them feel welcome and where in time, they will become a part of a thriving community of wildlife once more.

The watercolour illustrations are touched by whimsy whenever a minibeast is depicted, helping to keep the fable light in tone throughout the book. The penultimate page gives factual information about dandelion plants – their importance and various uses.

A seemingly simple story about seed dispersal that offers a good starting point for talking with very young children about humans who, in times of crisis, see no option but to flee their homes and seek sanctuary in another country.