Sunflowers Don't Grow in Winter

By Emily Holdaway
Based on a True Story

Sometimes the most beautiful things grow when we least expect them to.
When Ziggy plants sunflower seeds in autumn, everyone says they won’t grow - but Ziggy’s hope, patience, and care show that a little faith (and a few seeds) can go a long way.

Sunflowers Don’t Grow in Winter is a warm, true story about perseverance, optimism, and the quiet power of tending to things we love. Little readers can hunt for the three Bs (a bee, a butterfly, and a bird) on every spread, making the book an engaging read-aloud and a gentle invitation to look closely together. At the back you’ll find simple, practical steps for growing sunflowers at home and a lovely reflection on how our thoughts are like seeds - what we tend will grow.

How this product supports tamariki:

• Encourages patience and persistence by modelling how care over time leads to growth.
• Invites conversations about the power of positive thinking - connecting garden care to inner wellbeing.
• Builds emotional language and resilience through Ziggy’s gentle story of hope and determination.
  
• Sparks curiosity about nature and practical gardening skills with simple grow-your-own sunflower instructions.