The Journey Seed Format: Hardback

ONE SMALL SEED. ONE LONG JOURNEY. A POWERFUL STORY OF MIGRATION, MEMORY, AND THE ROOTS WE CARRY WITH US.


The Journey Seed is a tender picture book about a journey, family, and hope, and the quiet courage it takes to begin again. Through the eyes of young Mala, readers follow a migration shaped by the history of Indenture, as her family leaves their village in India and travels across the sea toward an unfamiliar island.

Along the way, they carry their heritage, traditions, songs, and a single mango seed—an emblem of memory, identity, and love.

As Mala discovers what it means to be brave, the seed becomes a gentle symbol of resilience, growth, and belonging—something small that holds generations of meaning. Set against changing landscapes and moments of struggle and adventure, the story weaves history with heart, highlighting community, cultural exchange, and the strength found in shared traditions and new beginnings.

Rooted in real history and told with warmth and care, The Journey Seed invites children to see how families grow even when the world changes. This timeless story honors the past while celebrating new beginnings, offering educators and caregivers an accessible entry point into conversations about global history, Asian Americans, Indian Americans, Indo-Caribbean, Indian diaspora, and the broader Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) experience, and the enduring meaning of home.

Sabbithry Persad is a writer who explores issues facing the global community through accessible, age-appropriate storytelling. Her family heritage reflects the history of Indian indentured migration to Trinidad, a chapter of history rarely represented in children’s literature. She created The Journey Seed to honor resilience, cultural continuity, and the enduring search for belonging across generations.

Persad holds a degree in Sociology from New York University, along with an MBA and a Postgraduate Diploma in Publishing. She is the founder of Firewater Media Group and Green Solutions Magazine (2007–2012), an online publication focused on environmental solutions and sustainability.

Her other works include several award-winning titles, including the Earth Day Garbology Kids® series and the nonfiction children’s book What Is Coronavirus? How It Infects, How It Spreads, and How to Stay Safe. A veteran, Persad now lives in Orlando.

Chandrima Chatterjee is an illustrator and former editor based in New Delhi who has always loved books, stories, and art supplies. She brings stories to life through vibrant, expressive artwork that captures movement and warm, fuzzy emotions on every page. When she’s not buried in her sketchbook, you might find her traveling, reading, watching movies, or enjoying a good meal.