PLANTABLE +
READ AND PLANT
CHILDREN'S STORYBOOKS 

South Africa’s first plantable children's storybook are designed to be educational.

Seeded paper is not new to South Africa, but Authentic Roots’ educational plantable children's storybooks are a first. These books connect children to the environment in a creative, mindful and educational way. 

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The covers of these books are handmade and embedded with non-GMO lettuce or tomato seeds, enabling children to plant the covers and nurture their plants. 
 

The latest read and plant storybook, Sipho the spinach and his world of wonder,includes a spinach seed pack. The entire storybook collection hosts fantastical narratives and lovable characters, a set of enquiry-based questions and fun maze, plus a planting calendar that encourages children to learn through observation.

These books are designed to suit a broad age group, from age 4 to grade 1.

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Beautiful Mother's Day cards filled with wildflowers are also part of Authentic Roots' plantable collection.

A true South African collaboration. The author and creator, the illustrators and paper makers are all homegrown in South Africa. The author and owner of Authentic Roots, Tanya Van Rees, is passionate about nature, education, nutrition, well-being and caring for the environment and all sentient beings. The seeded paper is handmade by Growing Paper, a dedicated team of female entrepreneurs based in Cape Town.

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Nature teaches us to have patience and gives us a deeper understanding of the connection between nature and human existence. Planting seeds and waiting for them to sprout and grow, cultivates patience and teaches us that the natural order of life cannot be forced nor rushed. Being outdoors, working with nature, is therapeutic and grounding and allows us to recharge.

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These books will not only make a positive impact on the lives of the children who get to experience it, but for each book sold, Authentic Roots will donate a meal to The Lunch Box Fund. They support vulnerable and food insecure school children by providing them with a daily meal, to help them get the education they need to build a life free from poverty.

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Planting instructions and care

• For best results plant in trays (or recycled ice-cream containers with drainage holes). Fill the tray 3/4 with well composted soil / potting soil. Place the seeded single paper on top.

• Lightly cover the seeded paper with well composted soil - 2cm deep and pat the top flat.

• Water immediately after planting. Water daily and keep moist. Water gently to ensure the soil is not moved.

• Make sure the paper remains covered with soil, at all times.

• Keep in medium direct sunlight - best placed near a wall or under a tree or side of home to ensure some shaded during the day.

• Seeds sprout within 10-18days.

Disclaimer

Seeded paper is embedded with tested and approved seeds. The key as in any stance of growing plants from seeds, is to provide your seeded paper with a lot of light, water and attention. As in nature, not all seeds will germinate. Keep in mind that seeds will act differently in varying environments, soil types and climates. We hope that these seed paper planting instructions help your plantable paper grow!

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