Growth Of Families Research Articles

Genetic and Molecular Regulation Mechanisms in the Formation and Development of Vegetable Fruit Shape

Vegetable crops have a long history of cultivation worldwide and rich germplasm resources. With its continuous development and progress, molecular biology technology has been applied to various fields of vegetable crop research. Fruit is an important organ in vegetable crops, and fruit shape can affect the yield and commercialization of vegetables. In nature, fruits show differences in size and shape. Based on fruit shape diversity, the growth direction and coordination mechanism of fruits remain unclear. In this review, we discuss the latest research on fruit shape. In addition, we compare the current theories on the molecular mechanisms that regulate fruit growth, size, and shape in different vegetable families.

Growth curve of Nile tilapia from different families of the AquaAmérica variety.

Selection can affect growth, changing performance and asymptotic values. However, there is little information about the growth of families in fish breeding programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance and growth of families of Nile tilapia AquaAmérica. Twenty AquaAmérica families cultivated in a net cage (13.5 m3) for 181 days were evaluated. The nonlinear Gompertz regression model was fitted to the data by the weighted least squares method, taking the inverse of the variance of weight in different families and at different ages as the weighting variable. The model was adjusted to describe the growth in weight and morphometric characteristics. Two families showed highest (P<0.05) weights at both 133 days (family AA10: 743.2 g; family AA16: 741.2 g) and 181 days (family AA10: 1,422.1 g; family AA16: 1,393.4 g) of the experiment. In both experimental periods, the males showed a heavier weight, with the greatest contrast between the sexes occurring at 181 days. The analysis of the three most contrasting families (AA1, AA9 and AA14) showed that the asymptotic value for weight was higher (P<0.05) in family AA9 (3,926.3 g) than in family AA14 (3,251.6 g), but specific growth rate and age at the inflection point did not differ significantly between families. In conclusion, two of the 20 families were superior; males exhibited a greater growth, mainly in the period of 181 days; and the growth curve differed between the families, especially for asymptotic weight.

Post-traumatic growth of family members of deceased cancer patients and related factors in Japan: A cross-sectional study.

This study examines the post-traumatic growth (PTG) of bereaved families who care for cancer patients and related factors in Japan. Participants included 1298 members of bereaved families of cancer patients (aged 20 or older). An anonymous self-administered questionnaire on PTG, coping, and social support was mailed to 496 bereaved families who provided written informed consent. Responses were obtained from 476 bereaved families; however, since 28 families had missing data, 448 were included for the analyses. The mean age of participants was 61.4 years: 69% women and 45% spouses. The average age of the deceased was 72.8 years old for men (59%). The PTG score of the bereaved families was higher for women than for men (p<0.0001). Moreover, the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory Score for those above 65 years of age was higher than of those below 65 years of age (p<0.0001). A regression analysis confirmed that emotion-focused coping, problem-focused coping, relationship with the deceased, advanced age of bereaved families, and emotional support impacted PTG. The significance of the deceased for the bereaved, bereaved family members being older in age, emotion-focused coping, problem-focused coping, and emotional support suggest that these aspects are associated with psychological growth in terms of accepting the death of a loved one and moving forward. It is necessary to evaluate the relationship between the bereaved family and the deceased, the age and gender of the bereaved, coping behaviors, and support status and establish a higher quality bereaved family care system.

Racism May Interrupt Age-related Brain Growth of African American Children in the United States

Background: Considerable research has documented age-related growth in brain size as a marker of normal brain development. This is particularly important because brain volume has a significant role in overall cognitive performance. However, less research is done on whether age-related changes in the global brain volume differ across diverse racial and ethnic groups. We hypothesized that age-related growth in brain size would be disrupted in African American children who are historically affected by racism. Purpose: Considering race as a proxy of racism rather than genetics, this study tested racial and ethnic differences in the effects of age on global brain volume using structural brain imaging data. Built on a sociological, rather than a biological theory, we built our study on Marginalization-related Diminished Returns (MDRs) framework, which argues that under racism, resources and assets are less effective for social groups that are historically racialized, discriminated against, marginalized, and segregated. Considering age as an asset/resource that increases the global brain volume, we expected weaker effects of age on overall brain size of African American and Hispanic children, than White and non-Hispanic children, again as a result of racism. Methods: We borrowed the structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (sMRI) data from the Children Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, which included 9,311 9-10 year old children. The independent variable was the child’s age treated as a continuous measure (in months). The primary outcome was global brain volume. Sex, parental employment, parental education, household income, and parental marital status were the covariates. Race and ethnicity, as proxies of racism, were the moderators. To analyze the data, we used linear regression models. Results: Age was positively associated with the global brain size in children. In line with the MDRs, the positive association between age and global brain volume was weaker for African American than White children, while family structure, sex, and family socioeconomic status was controlled. Conclusions: Under racism, age has unequal effects on global brain size of diverse racial groups. In line with the MDRs, we observe diminished agerelated growth of the brain for African American children, which documents detrimental effects of racism. For White children who are not affected by racism, age makes a large difference regarding global brain volume. Age-related growth of global brain size is diminished in African American children, whose daily lives are shaped by racism. School and residential segregation may have a role in reducing the effect of age on children’s brain growth in African American families. The results should not be interpreted as inferiority of one group but social processes that hinder normal development of a historically oppressed group.

Comparison of growth and morphological characteristics of inbred and hybrid families of Micropterus salmoides from Foshan and Taiwan populations

Comparison of growth and morphological characteristics of inbred and hybrid families of Micropterus salmoides from Foshan and Taiwan populations

ON SOME ASPECTS OF SOCIO-CRIMINOLOGICAL RESEARCH ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

Purpose of the study. The article considers and analyzes the results of a socio-criminological study conducted on human trafficking in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The authors substantiate the thesis about the insufficiency of existing measures to combat human trafficking, which determines the need to find the most optimal, modern and timely legislative and law enforcement tools. The paper notes that the study obtained specific results related to the study of the features of the formation and optimization of the conceptual and categorical apparatus of the system of crimes related to human trafficking at the international and national levels; ideas, initiatives, proposals, and key results were developed in terms of modeling the policy of countering crimes related to human trafficking and their implementation in scientific and methodological, practical activities of human rights, law enforcement, and international organizations. Results. Within the framework of the study, the authors conclude that the main reasons for the origin of cases of human trafficking in the Republic of Kazakhstan are poverty, limited economic opportunities for access to effective employment, education, a significant difference in the level of economic development between countries and regions within the country, the crisis of the family, family values, domestic violence, the growth of dysfunctional families, general gender inequality, alcoholism, social orphanhood, and peculiarities of mentality. Social status, low level of education, young age, and psychoemotional state are also factors that increase the chances of becoming a victim of human trafficking.

The Role of Gene Duplication in the Divergence of Enzyme Function: A Comparative Approach.

Gene duplication is a crucial process involved in the appearance of new genes and functions. It is thought to have played a major role in the growth of enzyme families and the expansion of metabolism at the biosphere’s dawn and in recent times. Here, we analyzed paralogous enzyme content within each of the seven enzymatic classes for a representative sample of prokaryotes by a comparative approach. We found a high ratio of paralogs for three enzymatic classes: oxidoreductases, isomerases, and translocases, and within each of them, most of the paralogs belong to only a few subclasses. Our results suggest an intricate scenario for the evolution of prokaryotic enzymes, involving different fates for duplicated enzymes fixed in the genome, where around 20–40% of prokaryotic enzymes have paralogs. Intracellular organisms have a lesser ratio of duplicated enzymes, whereas free-living enzymes show the highest ratios. We also found that phylogenetically close phyla and some unrelated but with the same lifestyle share similar genomic and biochemical traits, which ultimately support the idea that gene duplication is associated with environmental adaptation.

The Effects of Foreign-Born Peers in US High Schools and Middle Schools

The multi-decade growth and spatial dispersion of immigrant families in the United States has shifted the composition of US schools, reshaping the group of peers with whom students age through adolescence. US-born students are more likely to have foreign-born peers and foreign-born students are more likely to be educated outside of enclaves. This study examines the short-term and long-term impact of being educated with immigrant peers, for both US-born and foreign-born students. We leverage a quasi-experimental research design that uses across-grade, within-school variation in cohort composition for students in the Add Health study. We describe effects on a broad set of education, social, and health outcomes. For US-born students, we find little evidence that having immigrant peers affects a wide array of outcomes, either in adolescence or in adulthood. For foreign-born students, attending school with other immigrant students is protective against risky health behaviors and social isolation, relative to native born students. However, foreign-born students’ language skills measured with Picture-Vocabulary Test scores are negatively affected by attending school with a larger share of other immigrant students. The negative effect on vocabulary scores persists through young adulthood but does not translate into reductions in most longer-run socioeconomic outcomes, including earnings or the economic status of their residential neighborhoods.

Effects of Inulin Consumption on the Gut Microbiome During Fasting: A Pilot Study in Healthy Volunteers

ObjectivesCaloric restriction has been associated with beneficial effects on metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer but the mechanisms are diverse and not fully understood. Interactions between the human host and its gut microbiota might play a crucial role in this context, but these have not yet been analysed in detail. Therefore, we conducted a pilot intervention study to investigate how the microbial community in the human gut adapts to caloric restriction. Additionally, we investigated whether the compliance improved if the participants during fasting consumed prebiotics, which are supposed to reduce sensations of hunger while not providing calories through digestion in the small intestine. MethodsWe recruited six healthy volunteers (age: 20–50 years, BMI: 20–25 kg/m2) for a pilot intervention study using a randomized crossover design. The study consisted of two sequential fasting periods of which one included additional prebiotics. Participants were fasting for three consecutive days consuming a total of 300 kcal daily provided by vegetable juices, framed by two days with a total daily calorie intake of 800 kcal, respectively. During one of the fasting periods, participants consumed additionally 24 g of inulin daily. Stool samples were collected for the analysis of the microbial composition by 16S rRNA sequencing. ResultsWe observed no clear change in alpha diversity during the period of caloric reduction. However, quantitative changes in the composition of the microbiome was visible in mainly all participants. Additional intake of the prebiotic inulin did not influence compliance for the fasting intervention. However, we observed a clear reduction in alpha diversity in the gut microbiome after inulin ingestion during the fasting period. ConclusionsCaloric restriction appears to have no significant influence on the gut microbiome itself but inulin consumption during fasting seems to selectively promote the growth of some bacterial families leading to an overall decrease of alpha diversity in the gut microbiome. Further studies with a larger sample size are warranted to verify our observations. Funding SourcesInstitutional budget, no external funding.

The Relation Between the Growth in the Number of Female Single Parent Families and the Number of Women Imprisonment in Brazil

This article proposes to analyze the current conjecture of Brazil in which it was observed by the studies a relevant growth in female single-parent families combined with the observation that in face of the situation in these families, women are driven to crime and consequently to prison. Female single-parent families with children are more “vulnerable” in economic terms, in food supplies and in the caring provided to the children. In this way, families that are headed by these women occur in these circumstances, often allied to their will and consequently the entering of these women in world of crime, so their imprisonment interferes in the whole family. Therefore, we aim with this article to establish a relation between this increase in the number of families headed by women and the increase of women deprived of liberty. The theoretical and methodological support that conducted this research is anchored in the socioeconomic perspective, starting from an investigation of incarcerated women, the family situation and the type of crime committed, since most women do not commit violent crimes. Within a qualitative approach, being the technical procedure adopted of a descriptive-analytical character, carried out through analysis of bibliographic content and data. In this way, we will discuss the socioeconomic reality of incarcerated women, the family situation and how this situation affects the committing of crime and, consequently, incarceration. There would be a concrete relationship between two data, an increase in the number of female single-parent families and because of that, an increase in the number of incarcerated women? It appears that women in situation of vulnerability are the majority among prisoners and considering the circumstances they are arrested it stays very clear the gender hierarchy in social and prison environment which they are subjected. In advance, we noticed that there is a need to create more public policies that promote social justice and greater support for families where women are the main supporters in order to minimize their possible entry into the world of crime. Keywords: Female Single Parenting, Female Imprisonment, Public Policy, Human Rights. DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/11-11-07 Publication date: June 30 th 2021

Meningkatkan partisipasi anggota kelompok wanita tani dalam pemanfaatan lahan pekarangan di Desa Karangrejo

Home garden farming is a significant component of initiatives in many areas to enhance family well-being. The primary issue at hand, though, is the low usage of yard space. The purpose of this service was to address this issue by enhancing the involvement of members of the Women Farmer Group (KWT) in the utilization of yard land and its influence on the financial growth of families. A participatory strategy is employed, involving training, mentorship, and granting access to sufficient resources. According to the service's statistics, KWT members are using yard land at a significantly higher rate, which benefits both family income and agricultural productivity. In addition, the involvement of KWT members also helps to raise.

INFLUENCE OF CARBOHYDRATE-PROTEIN FEED ON BIOLOGICAL AND PRODUCTIVE QUALITIES OF A BEE FAMILY

Due to the multilateral influence of the bee pollen pellet on the vital activity and productivity of bee families while ensuring their food provision, the increased attention is being paid to the harvesting of the bee bread and supplementary feeding of bees though providing its collection. The carbohydrate-protein supplementary feeding is the most effective in early spring when the development of bee families is crucial for the preparation for the honey flow. Unlike honey, pollen pellet contains all the essential substances needed for the development and vital activity of bees. The pollen pellet provides bees with lipids, vitamins, mineral and other substances that are not contained or lacking in honey. Bee families can live and fully develop in the active period of the year only due to the constant use of this protein food. The objective of this work was to determine the influence of the supplementary feeding of the pollen pellet as part of candy, on the biological and productive qualities of the bee family in the period of its low flaw into the nest. The studies confirm the feasibility of feeding the mixture of carbohydrate food with the bee pollen pellet in early spring. Such supplementary feeding of bees in early spring contributes to obtaining larger sized larvae, which, in its turn, promotes obtaining more full-fledged bees. It also has a positive effect on the amount of the brood grown and on the life expectancy of bees. The carbohydrate-protein supplementary feeding in spring has a significant impact on the growth of bee families, which allows the development of strong bee families by the time of the honey flow. But this is of importance only at the beginning of the main honey flow, that is, under the conditions of a limited amount of pollen pellet brought into the nest. We recommend that a part of the pollen pellet be collected with the help of the pollen catchers in the period of its sufficient flow into the bee families, be stored, then used for the preparation of carbohydrate-protein mixtures and then fed to bees.

Рождаемость в Сибири накануне коллективизации: отсроченный демографический переход

The final period of the NEP is characterized by a high birth rate in the country, especially among the rural population. The period was not sufficiently considered by researchers, because it was necessary to compare demographics with the subsequent development of events. Such a comparison was dangerous because of party dictatorship and an attempt to hide or ignore the demographic catastrophe in the country during the collectivization. The population of Siberia maintained the traditional demographic behavior in the reproductive sphere. Land relations in the village, which stimulated the growth of families, early and productive work of young generation in small-scale farming were economic mechanisms that allowed to maintain a high birth rate. In cities but the practice of restricting childbearing was becoming more widespread. The population was well acquainted with the methods of regulating childbearing. The demographic rapid growth observed in the late 20s of the twentieth century could only be prolonged in one case: the refusal to modernize village.

Effect of elevated gibberellic acid application on growth and gene expression patterns in white spruce families from a tree improvement program in Alberta, Canada.

Nine open-pollinated families of Picea glauca (Moench) Voss from the Region D1 Controlled Parentage Program (Alberta, Canada) were systematically chosen from fast, medium and slow-growth rankings based on breeding values for height from field progeny tests at age 30years. Seeds from these families were sown and grown to age 3 years to analyze the performance and correlations of growth, physiological traits and expression of gibberellin-related genes, with and without elevated gibberellic acid 3 (GA3) application, under greenhouse conditions. We observed a significant interaction effect between families and growth groups subjected to 50μg μl-1 of GA3 treatment, causing a decrease in apical internode length, diameter, volume and absolute transcript level for fast-growing families but an increase for families in the slow-growth group for the same traits. We also observed that in the apical internode, the gene PgGA20ox1 had significantly more relative expression under the elevated GA3 treatment than the control trees. In the stem, PgGA3ox1 showed a significantly higher relative expression under elevated GA3 treatment compared with control trees. Also, the slow-growth group showed more relative expression of PgGA20ox1 (in the apical internode) and PgGA3ox1 (in the stem) than the fast-growth group. The apical internode length and diameter significantly increased by 24% and 16%, respectively, with the hormone treatment in the slow growing group. In general, the PgGID1 and PgDELLA1 genes were upregulated and downregulated respectively, in spruce shoots under the GA3 treatment, meaning a positive feedback regulation by those genes were influencing PgGA20ox1 and PgGA3ox1 expression in that tissue type. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between absolute transcript levels of PgGA20ox1 in the apical internode and apical internode length, and absolute transcript levels of PgGA3ox1 in the stem and the diameter, in the fast-growth group families. This study shows that expression of GA genes is a limiting factor for growth in certain white spruce families with a complex feedback mechanism. Finally, absolute transcript levels of endogenous GA relative to growth parameters in juvenile seedlings could potentially be used to accelerate the early selection of families with inherently rapid apical and radial growth expansion.

The efficien cy of bee families feeding by protein with increasing their forces before pollination of winter raps

The effect of early-spring stimulation of bee families on protein partial substitutes (low-fat soy bean meal and soy peptone) on the eff ectiveness of winter rapeseed pollination has been studied. Cross-pollination in the evolution of the fl ora has become dominant, because about 80 % of vegetation requires its application. There are two types of cross-pollination of plants: within one plant (geetonogamy) and within several plants (xenogamy). The transfer of pollen within one fl ower or several occurs by wind, water, birds and insects. However, the most widespread was insect pollination, which amounts 4/5 of the total number of plants that are needed to be pollinated. It is established that only with high organization of pollination of entomophilous crops it is possible to achieve the maximum eff ect. The intensity of development of bee families depends on: the age of the queen bee, the quality of the bee nest, the temperature of the air and the presence of carbohydrate and protein feed in their nests. In the early spring, bees may not always provide themselves with carbohydrate and protein feed, which reduces breeding and delaying bee growth until the beginning of pollination of spring agricultural honey plants. The eff ectiveness of entomophilic bee pollination depends on many factors, including the forces of the bee families, the distance from the source of honey, temperature and humidity. Therefore, there is a need to replenish feed stocks in early spring in order to stimulate rapid growth of bees. It has been found that stimulation of bee growth in bee families by partial protein substitutes of pollen in early spring helps to increase their strength from 6.6 % to 16.6 % and the amount of pollen collected from winter rape from 12.3% to 34.1% indicating a higher intensity of pollination of this crop. Key words: bee families, winter rapeseed, soy fl our, soy peptone, forces of the bee families, pollination, development.

Effect of transverse reinforcement on cracking of CFRP composite laminates under static and fatigue loads

Several CFRP laminates with various layups, possessing two distinctive forms of transverse reinforcement either UD 90° or fabric 0°/90°, were tested in both static and fatigue tests. All examined layups were considered to be used in the wingbox design of the multipurpose turboprop aircraft. In-situ microscopic observations were carried out during the tests. Static tensile tests allowed to find the strength of the laminas, stress, and strains at which cracks started to propagate, crack density during the test. The microscopic observations allowed to establish cracks’ growth paths. The first crack in laminates having fabric 0°/90° laminas usually was observed for higher stress and strain than in laminates with UD 90° laminas. Also, the later ones showed a tendency to significantly delaminate along the interface between UD 90° and UD 45° laminas. The fatigue test was carried out in order to find how to distinguish damage growth in both families of laminates that affects their fatigue life. As an outcome, S-N lines were determined. During the test the microscopic observations were made, which allowed to show crack and delamination growth during successive load cycles. The microscopic observations showed that cyclic loading leads to the fast growth of delaminations at the interface of fabric 0°/90°ply or UD 90° laminas.

Genotype by environment interaction analysis of growth of Picea koraiensis families at different sites using BLUP-GGE

This study investigated the growth (height, diameter at breast height and volume) of Picea koraiensis families at two sites and explored the genotype × environment interaction (GEI) of growth traits to provide a theoretical basis for the improvement of P. koraiensis families. Genetic variation analysis and genetic parameter estimation of growth traits were carried out using 52 families of three provenances, Muling (M), Jinshantun (J), Wuyiling (W), of P. koraiensis at Jiangshanjiao (JSJ) and Qingshan (QS) forest farms in Heilongjiang Province, China. The variance analysis of the multisite test and the type B correlation coefficient of growth traits between the two sites were less than 0.2, indicating that the growth traits of the family had extremely significant GEI, and the growth of families of provenances J and W (experienced colder conditions) at JSJ and QS was significantly better than that of provenance M (grew in relatively warm areas). The main drivers of GEI might be the annual average temperature and frost-free period. The families from provenances J and W that experienced colder conditions might have higher environmental adaptability and superior growth compared with families from provenance M. The family with the highest but unstable volume yield at JSJ and QS was M410 and W010, respectively. While, the top five families with high and stable yields were J085, J097, W037, W045 and J068 by stability analysis (BLUP-GGE) of joint-site. This study enhanced our understanding of the GEI of P. koraiensis families and benefits the selection of optimal families.

The Influence of Confucianism on the Perceptions and Process of Caring Among Family Caregivers of Persons With Dementia: A Qualitative Study.

Introduction: Scant evidence reveals the influences of Confucianism on family caregiving in dementia. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of Confucianism on the perceptions and process of caring among the Chinese family caregivers. Method: A qualitative study was conducted using semistructured interviews with 15 Chinese family caregivers of persons with dementia in three elderly care centers in Hong Kong. The interviews were audiotaped and transcribed, while a thematic analysis was performed to analyze the transcript at the latent level. Results: Three themes emerged from the interviews: (a) setting family as a top priority, (b) growth and development in families, and (c) enhancing family relationships. Discussion: Our findings provided insights into how Confucianism influences the experience of family caregivers in caring persons with dementia in Chinese communities. These findings help develop culturally adapted interventions to improve the support for family caregivers of persons with dementia.

Growth of radiata pine families in nursery and two years after field establishment

ABSTRACT: Pinus radiata D. Don is the most widely planted exotic species in Australia, Chile, New Zealand and Spain. In this study, growth and survival of P. radiata were compared in 30 open pollinated families grown under two contrasting watering regimes in nursery (well-watered cf. water-stress conditions) and planted on a drought-prone site with Mediterranean climate in central Chile. This study assessed phenotypic plasticity in growth and survival at nursery stage and two years after establishment in the field. Family plasticity at nursery stage was estimated by the angular phenotypic change index (APCI), while the relationship between nursery and field traits was estimated by genetic correlations (rg) and the Pearson coefficient of correlation (rxy). Families presented high plasticity in diameter, height, and survival at nursery stage. Out of 30 families, eight exhibited over 80 % survival in the well-watered treatment, but less than 20 % survival in the water-stress treatment. As expected, growth traits and survival were positively correlated (rg and rxy > 0.65) between both nursery environments. However, for growth, most genetic and phenotypic correlations between combinations of nursery treatments versus the field test were negative or not significant. As there was no detectable pattern of nursery–field correlations regarding to combinations of nursery treatments and test site, the need to include more stable families and genotypes to an appropriate developmental stage at nursery is discussed.

Hundred Feet Tall by Benjamin Scheuer

Reviewed by: Hundred Feet Tall by Benjamin Scheuer Natalie Berglind Scheuer, Benjamin Hundred Feet Tall; illus. by Jemima Williams. Simon, 2020 [38p] Trade ed. ISBN 978-1-5344-3219-2 $17.99 E-book ed. ISBN 978-1-5344-3220-8 $10.99Reviewed from galleys In this bouncy picture book version of the title song, a bunny finds a seed with his parents in the fall, plants it in a jar, and diligently watches it grow ("With water and light," says the seed, "I will keep gaining height/ And then one day I'll stand at a hundred feet tall"). As the plant continues to sprout leaves, there's growth in the rabbit family as well, as the bunny's mother has a baby, and one day the tree is too big for its container and has to be planted in the ground. The tree's journey isn't over, however, as the bunny holds the new sibling up to its branches: "I hope that you visit and climb in my boughs,/ and together we'll stand at a hundred feet tall." The scansion sometimes becomes awkward without the musical cues to guide the read, but it's soothing readaloud choice, accentuated by Williams' masterfully cartoonish illustrations in which the bunnies sport overlarge ears, V-shaped noses, and blush marks that add up to unbearably cute critters. Vibrant colors and detailed backgrounds in watercolor combine with thick, off-black lines to encapsulate a visually pleasing setting, and astute viewers will note the seasonal indicators indicating the passage of time. Any kid who has grown a plant will understand the main character's excitement over creating something big from something small, and the sweet, empowering moral is right there in the lyrics: "If anyone says you're too small to matter, that isn't true./ The love in your heart that you share with the world makes a giant out of you." Musical notation is included at the end of the book. Copyright © 2020 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois