A once idyllic meadow, home to animals, birds, insects, wildflowers and ancient apple trees is clear cut by a bulldozer to make way for new construction. Miraculously, there is one survivor...a lonely little dandelion. When her golden petals turn to white fluff, she takes flight in search of a new home. We get a bird's eye view of her journey over many big houses and manicured green lawns. When she spots a lush green meadow, surrounded by wetlands, we follow her down to earth, and cheer as she puts down new roots. We meet all the inhabitants of this small Family Farm and observe their daily life. What's special about this farm is that each of their activities contribute to a sustainable lifestyle, and consequently lead to a brighter and more promising future. A contemporary fable that is as informative as it is timely. Young readers, as well as parents and teachers, can explore many earth friendly techniques including organic gardening, solar and wind power, water harvesting, alternative heating, growing medicinal herbs, and cultivating gourmet mushrooms on logs. There is a Glossary, and suggestions for family friendly cooking-with-dandelion recipes. A comprehensive resource list of follow up links encourages readers to further explore these Permaculture techniques. Gr 2–5—An intentionally didactic introduction to the world of sustainable family living, complete with gardening, bread baking, and solar panels. Regensburg's titular weed is kicked out of her old soil by cruel construction. When the dandelion's seeds find a happier place to land, readers get a peek at a kinder world, one whose inhabitants compost, eat fruits and vegetables in season, splash in natural swimming pools, and so on—a whole bevy of techniques for wasting not and wanting not. The premise is flimsy, but the elements of sustainable living are impressive, comprehensive, and integrated into the particularities of everyday life in a way that may appeal to a young mind. The illustrations and text are laid out in a somewhat amateur fashion, but Plate's friendly, relatable images of a family working together to help the earth complement detailed descriptions of sustainable living. VERDICT More how-to than narrative, this book is a compelling, if on-the-nose, read for elementary schoolers interested in learning basic and practical ways to live in harmony with nature.—Emilia Packard, Austin, TX 08/01/2017 Gr 2-5--An intentionally didactic introduction to the world of sustainable family living, complete with gardening, bread baking, and solar panels. Regensburg's titular weed is kicked out of her old soil by cruel construction. When the dandelion's seeds find a happier place to land, readers get a peek at a kinder world, one whose inhabitants compost, eat fruits and vegetables in season, splash in natural swimming pools, and so on--a whole bevy of techniques for wasting not and wanting not....the elements of sustainable living are impressive, comprehensive, and integrated into the particularities of everyday life in a way that may appeal to a young mind. Plate's friendly, relatable images of a family working together to help the earth complement detailed descriptions of sustainable living. VERDICT More how-to than narrative, this book is a compelling, if on-the-nose, read for elementary schoolers interested in learning basic and practical ways to live in harmony with nature.--Emilia Packard, Austin, TX School Library Journal I read your lovely children's tale to myself last night before bed and want to commend you for a fine job done. The text is engaging and dynamic; the illustrations delightful. May all the dandelions flourish! --Peter Bane, author of The Permaculture Handbook and editor of Permaculture Design Magazine A delightful, beautifully illustrated fable about a resilient dandelion who finds a nurturing community where she can flourish. Elizabeth Marcus , Organizer Transition Newburyport MA, Northshore Permaculture Collaborative & winner "Strong By Nature" award 2017 The Runaway Dandelion takes us on a fun adventure toward sustainability! The lively illustrations and interesting and informative story reveal how easy and fun it can be to be green! This story will inspire children to learn more about ecology and our place in it! -- Dr. Craig Mellow, Nobel Prize in Physiology 2006 The Runaway Dandelion is an engaging contemporary fable that will make children think about their world from a whole new perspective.Readers will empathize with the sad dandelion who has seen the landscape around it dramatically change and then cheer it on as it searches for a new home. This delightful tale of The Runaway Dandelion is sure to become a favorite for anyone that values sustainable living and a great classroom resource to use with the New Generation Science Standards. -- Suzette DiTonno M.Ed , Ed.S 3rd Grade Teacher "The Runaway Dandelion" is more than a modern eco-fable, it is atrue story to inspire a generation with it