Just in Case: Saving Seeds in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault

by Megan Clendenan, Brittany Cicchese (illustrator)

Psst . . . Guess what? 800 miles from the North Pole, buried deep in a mountain, the Svalbard Seed Vault holds priceless treasure. Seeds!

Perfect for 5-8-year-old future conservationalists, this is a fascinating glimpse into a unique conservation collection, highlighting the importance of natural resources and protecting planet Earth.

On the Arctic island of Spitsbergen in Norway, polar bears roam and there are no gardens, forests, or fields. But buried deep underground, the Svalbard Seed Bank protects more than 580 million seeds with plenty of room for more.

How and why was the vault built? What's it like inside? How does the vault protect the seeds? Learn about the rescue of the greatest treasure on earth--seeds for our food.

An inside look into the storage and history of one of our most important natural resources and how this collection can save our future.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Plants, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 14, 2025

Reviews

[Rebecca Crunden]

Only eight hundred miles from the North Pole, away from wars and weapons, safe from earthquakes, fire, and even an asteroid, buried deep in the Earth on an island in Norway, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault holds priceless treasure.

Oh, this made me cry. In a truly, wonderfully hopeful way. My conservationist/environmentalist book from childhood was The Wump World which truly shaped me as a lover of the world. But The Wump World is pretty darn bleak even with the hopeful-ish ending. I loved it, I reread it, but oh, my heart broke for the wumps. Every time I read it, I was so sad for the wumps and their destroyed home. Just in Case on the other hand, seems like the happy complement to it. Seeds from all over the world stored in the ice for safekeeping? Original seeds, protected for the future? Possibly for hundreds of years? Safe from war, disasters, loss of use because focus is driven by demand? I was instantly emotional.

I’m also astonished I didn’t know about this place?! I had to look up the Svalbard Global Seed Vault while I was reading and it’s such a cool concept! I’m absolutely delighted by its existence! YES, ALL THE SEEDBANKS! LOVE IT!

More than 580 million seeds. For you, for me, for everybody. Just in case.

The part that really, really made me emotional was reading about how it’s been used already and a seedbank that was endangered by modern warfare was able to send its seeds to Svalbard, keep them safe, and later retrieve them for replanting. Isn’t that beautiful? My environmentalist, Earth-loving self lost it at that part.

I honestly cannot recommend this little book enough! For kids and adults! Go grab a copy and have a good cry about lovely, hopeful things humans are doing for the future! Go, go, go!

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC.

☆ Book Reviews | Bluesky | Twitter | Threads ☆

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Just In Case is a beautiful, informative, and important illustrated book for children all about saving seeds for the future just in case they're needed.
The book teaches children and adults about the importance of seed saving and all about the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, where seeds are stored underground in the North Pole. This was such a fascinating book with so much interesting and age appropriate information. I loved how it showed how and why the seed Vault was built and gave additional information on how we too can keep seeds for future foods and planting safe for years to come. The examples of how the use of seed saving and seed vaults have already helped the world and food chains was fascinating, and the illustrations are beautiful and help the reader/audience understand the information even more.
This is a great book to have in any educational settings and a great resource for science lessons.

[Grandma Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this is geared toward children, I loved this book. So well researched and informative. I learned quite a bit. If you’re wanting to expand your knowledge, this book is a great choice. Highly recommend.

I was blessed with an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.

[Ali Duggan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a timely, worthwhile, lovely book.

The illustrations in this book are stunning. Brittany’s use of color is gorgeous but I especially love how the artist inserts so much depth into every single page. The pictures tell the story just as succinctly as the words do.

And the story itself? As I said, I find it to be such a great time to tell this story to children. There are so many things happening in our world that makes our future (at the moment) seem so uncertain. Knowing that there are so many capable, well-trained, brilliant humans from all over the planet working together for a better, more healthy future that they believe in?! THAT inspires hope. That inspires confidence. And that is exactly what children and adults need right now.

Teaching our children - the bearers of our future - about seed banks and why they’re beautiful and important is such a worthy task. And Megan absolutely sticks the landing. I think the kids who read about the Svalbard Global Seed Vault will be so intrigued by it and invested in its future.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Charlesbridge for the ARC copy of Just in Case.

[Jane Healy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated picture book introduces children and adults to something they might not have ever thought about--saving the seeds of plants, especially food plants, in case of disasters that might cause them to go extinct. The author presents her research in an easy-to-understand way without scaring readers. She writes specifically about the seed vault near the North Pole in Norway, and also mentions other seed banks around the world, showing the global importance of this effort. She gives a history of the how and why of seed preservation and gives readers a context for caring about seeds, making the story personal. The back matter offers more information about seed preservation and kid-appropriate resources.

[Stephanie Gibeault · Rating 5 out of 5]

This nonfiction picture book about the Svalbard Global Seed Vault is a captivating look at preserving plant biodiversity and the future of our food supply. Clendenan’s beautifully lyrical text clearly explains why we need seed banks and how the Svalbard Seed Vault was built in “the heart of the mountain” to keep the seeds safe from war or other disasters. The color palette of Cicchese’s gorgeous illustrations perfectly captures the warmth of farm life and the bitter cold of Norway. Sidebars throughout the book provide more details and fascinating back matter includes further information about the importance of seed banks and the challenges they face. I highly recommend this book for schools and libraries as well as for children who love nature, plant life, and conservation.

[Carlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC of Just in Case by Megan Clendenan through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'd actually never heard of a seed vault before! The information was easily digestible, some simple sections and others more technical. I think it is formatted in a way that makes this book a nice one for an adult to read along with a child or to a child.

I like the focus on the varieties and how many different seeds come from so many countries. It all makes sense and I'm not sure why it never occurred to me before that places like this would exist.

When I saw the title and read the synopsis, I was more interested in the information, but was pleasantly surprised to see such beautiful artwork alongside it. There's artwork of the Svalbard area and seed vault, but also of different places with different families, too. I also love the diversity of people shown in each scene. There's one particular page where it talks about the architects, scientists, and engineers planning the vault and the diversity was really nice to see.

Overall, I think this would make a great book for not just a science class in schools, but also just for a family to read and enjoy the artwork together.

[Katie Wolfgram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for the ARC of this one! I enjoyed learning about the seeds and this amazing place! I will definitely be adding this to my boys library!

[Bookmeaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Seeds are more than the foundation of our food.
They are history.
And they are the future."

My first words opening the book were : oh wow ! Seriously, the illustration are stunning !

The colors are beautiful, the landscapes, the drawing, everything. It looks like oil pastels. It's magnificent from the very beginning. It's very pleasurable to learn about how we are Saving Seeds in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault with such gorgeous visuals.

"The Svalbard Global Seed Vault aims to store duplicates of every seed housed in all other seed banks." Why aim ? Because it's not a forever 100% secure solution : as explained nothing is for ever. Wars, malfunctions, weather catastrophes happen. Sometimes the vault needs repair, and the seeds needs to be replaced. It's not just something to be stored and forgotten. It needs maintenance, and seeds are regularly planted and replaced.

I loved how we see where the 580 millions of frozen seeds come from, all those countries and places around the world, with the people who made them grow. Who planted, harvested and collected them so they could end up saved there in Norway, Just in Case.

"...otherwise they could become extinct, gone forever."

I learned a lot of things through this read. We went through many subjects as global warming, biology, conception and construction of a vault, farming, biodiversity, etc.

"A treasure trove of tiny kernels of life, that if planted will sprout, soak up the sun, drink the rain, provide oxygen, and nourish us."

There are so many great messages and pieces of information. It's fascinating how this whole project works. I learned a lot.

We lose seeds when we stop using them, so, the final message is : Plant a seed, save a seed. "The best way to save seeds for the future is to grow them yourself !" So hey people, if you read this and can, go plant a few seeds, and keep the preservation of our beautiful world safer, you know, just in case.

#JustinCase #NetGalley

[Sheila The Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this book offered on NetGalley and, although I don’t usually request children’s books, I couldn’t resist grabbing this one—and I had good reasons! I’ve been fascinated with the real Svalbard Global Seed Vault ever since I saw a CBS Sunday Morning segment about it years ago. As an avid gardener and a (very young and hip) grandma, I thought this would be a fun and meaningful book to share with my granddaughter. I also just finished reading Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy, which features a fictional seed vault, so the theme has definitely been top of mind for me. It felt like fate, and I’m so glad I requested it.

This book gives young readers a fascinating introduction to the real-life vault buried deep inside a mountain near the North Pole, where over 580 million seeds are safely stored to help protect our food supply and the planet’s future. It breaks down how and why the vault was created, what it’s like inside, and how it’s already helped in real-world crises. The writing is educational and engaging, making big concepts accessible for younger readers.

The illustrations, though, truly blew me away. They're absolutely stunning! Breathtaking depictions of landscapes, animals, and people from around the globe are plentiful in this story. The diversity in the faces and cultures represented made my heart happy. The story is not only informative but filled with a sense of hope and empowerment, encouraging kids to think about stewardship and how they can care for the Earth.

There’s also a fantastic resource section at the end for kids (and adults!) who want to dig a little deeper. I highly recommend this for families, classrooms, and anyone looking to spark a sense of wonder and responsibility in the next generation. Thank you to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for the advance copy. I enjoyed it so much!

[The Journey Writer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“More than 580 million seeds. For you, for me, for everybody. Just in case.”

This book tells the story of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, where seeds from around the world are preserved for the future. The seeds in the vault are contributed by farmers, gardeners, and countless people across the globe. Each seed tells a story—they are history, they are the future. Humans rely on crops to live, so preserving seeds is preserving our own survival.

It is especially moving to read that during the war in Syria, before people fled, they sent 116,000 seeds to Svalbard. Those seeds later thrived in Lebanon and Morocco, reviving biodiversity that had been endangered by war.

The illustrations are gorgeous. I’m in awe of the wavy northern lights against the soft purple and white background, and the little white fox on the vast snowy landscape.

This book is a wonderful, real-life story of how the global community comes together to preserve biodiversity. It is an outstanding illustrated children’s book for ages 5–8—and for readers of all ages.

Pub Date: October 14, 2025

Thank you @meganclendenan , @netgalley , @charlesbridgepublishing for this eARC.

This book review was first published on 3 October 2025 at https://www.instagram.com/thejourney_...

[Elaine Kachala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just In Case is a brilliant and beautiful story that weaves together science, history, community, and the environment into a lyrical exploration of a truly unique topic. Readers discover the story of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault—a special secret place where 580 million priceless seeds from around the world are safely stored underground near the North Pole. Safe from war, weather, and other catastrophes, this hopeful story teaches us about how storing seeds is essential for the future of our food supply, and that they are precious treasures that require care and attention.

I love how the book answers every question that the reader is wondering about: How does the vault protect the seeds? How and why was this special place built? I learned so much! The illustrations are stunning and fit perfectly with the story. Kids and adults alike will absolutely love this book. I highly recommend it!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to review the ARC!

[Julie Winterbottom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just in Case tells the fascinating story of the Svalbard Seed vault, a massive steel structure tunneled into a stone just 80 miles from the Arctic Circle to keep 580 million seeds from around the world safe from climate change, wars, and other disasters. I had no idea such a place existed, and I was captivated by Clendenan’s description of the design and construction process (kids who love machines and building will be, too). She also does a beautiful job of explaining why this vault is needed (many varieties of crops are in danger of extinction, and we may need them in the future). This is the rare STEM book that covers design, engineering, plant biology, and agriculture all in one book. In beautiful prose (“a walk down the aisles becomes a walk through the world”), Clendenan introduces kids to a hopeful story about preserving the past for future generations. With excellent back matter, teachers, librarians, and kids will love this book!

[Mrs.MakesReadingFun · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my new favourite non-fiction picture books!!!
The artwork in this one is absolutely gorgeous- the colours, the detail- it fits the setting & story perfectly.

While the artwork drew us in initially, we then were also captured by the story. This *priceless treasure*- safe from war, from earthquakes, even an asteroid. What could this treasure be!?

We then learn all about the important action of seed saving- and how keeping seeds safe is something scientists have quickly realized could be essential to human survival.

I learned SO much from this book- its packed with facts, while also being told in a very child-friendly way.

Definitely get this one for your classroom or school library- and will especially be great for lessons on climate change, seed-saving, environmental activism!

[Alison Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

JUST IN CASE is a fascinating book about the Svalbard Global Seed Bank--a vault built inside an Norwegian mountain that preserves millions of seeds from around the world. The story deftly takes us from warm fields teeming with crops into the frigid Arctic landscape and back again. In addition to addressing the need to store seeds in such a remote location, the author includes a section on the planning and construction of the seed vault, which came as a delightful surprise. We don't often think about what it takes to create a place like this, and I love that the author included it in her story. Beautiful illustrations reinforce the extreme conditions endured to make the seed vault a reality and let us bask in the warmth of agricultural fields around the world. Great choice for anyone curious to know about where our food comes from and what it takes to keep crops growing.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We humans may be at odds with each other, but we do understand the value of conserving our natural resources. Megan Clendenan’s “Just in Case” tells us about the international efforts to preserve seeds from around the world. It features Svalbard’s Global Seed Vault. The vault accepts seeds from all over the world to be stored in icy security deep inside a mountain. The illustrations enhance the story with color palettes complementing where on the planet the story is being told.

At the back of the book there is information on saving seeds and why a seed vault is important. There are also suggestions for saving your own seeds if you have your own garden.

This is a fascinating story perfect for young readers who are interested in science and nature.

I received an advance review copy for free from Netgalley and Charlesbridge, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tanya Konerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of us probably don’t give much thought to the seeds which ultimately grow our foods: their long history, how they are stored and replanted each year, and what might happen if those seeds were to disappear through natural or man-made disaster. But author Meg Clendenan has, and in Just in Case: Saving Seeds in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, she takes young readers on a tour of not only food seeds and their importance around the world, but into the amazing world repository in Norway which was built to protect millions of seed varieties deep in a mountainside covered in ice and snow. In addition, she shows how this global seed vault was conceived, designed and built, and how it has been used since it opened in 2008. Illustrator Brittany Cicchese’s art completes the story, bringing the arctic setting to life, while back matter offers further information and resources.

[Louise Aamodt · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love behind-the-scene sneak tours, this is the book for you! Although few of us will set foot inside Norway's seed vault, we can all visit through this fascinating picture book. Come learn why the world needs a safe place to preserve seed biodiversity, how the vault was constructed near the North Pole, and who sends their precious seeds there. Interesting layered text offers more information on select pages, and back matter gives us a deeper dive. The color palette of the illustrations is gorgeous, as are the word choices: "Walls of ice shine like stars." "A treasure trove of tiny kernels of life..." Most of all, I love how this book simply and clearly explains a complex issue like a seed vault to young readers in an optimistic and empowering way. A must-have!

[Eileen Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this fascinating nonfiction children’s book, learn about the wonder of seed banks! What are they? How and when are they used? Are they important? This lyrical story of the largest and most critical seed bank of all – the Svalbard Seed Vault serves as a backup storage facility housing over 580 millions seeds in Norway! Author Megan Clendenan describes in beautiful detail how this arctic vault came to be and serves the world in times of disaster or war. Brittany Cicchese’s lovely illustrations capture the remote and chilly location, laying out the daunting task of building this valuable vault. Helpful sidebars share important details with the reader. Perfect for budding scientists to read and digest, and a valuable addition for schools and public libraries!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great and informative for young readers! As someone who is also fascinated by the Svalbard Seed Bank, this is a wonderful book to read with your littles. I thought the art was absolutely amazing! The Svalbard Seed Bank is a place where the whole world can send seeds to be saved. The Seed Bank acts exactly like a bank, depositing the seeds in a safe location built in a mountain. There a so many varieties of seeds already, but you can always send in more! The information in the book is delivered smoothly and keeps you interested. This picture book talks about the Seed Bank from idea to the current use. I also enjoyed the follow up books suggested for young readers and their families.

[LJ Todaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luckily, some smart designers and policy makers thought to design an incredible vault in the arctic to preserve the world’s seeds from war, environmental damage, and extinction. Luckily, Clendenan lyrically explains (“walls of ice shine like stars”) the importance of seeds to our lives, to our cultures, and to biodiversity; and she makes infinitely clear how crucial this seed vault is to our future. The Svalbard Seed Vault in Norway now houses more than 2 billion seeds. Cicchese’s beautiful arctic spreads, doused in rose-colored whites, with splashes of auroras and polar bears help one feel the challenges and triumphs of such a creation. Excellent sidebars and back matter inform the reader further about this wonderful place.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Charlesbridge and Netgalley for the digital arc.
Gorgeous artwork captures the frozen expanse of Spitsbergen, Norway, which is the home of the Svalbard Seed Bank, a vault that stores and protects 1.2 million seed varieties from all over the world. The seeds are carefully preserved and packaged, ready to be dispersed if the vegetation of any place on earth should be destroyed. Back matter provides background on seed banks in other countries, the procedures of transporting the seeds, the changing inventory in the vault, and the process that ensures the seeds remain healthy. Truly a valuable picture book.
#JustinCase

[Ginny Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it when a picture book feels like I have just finished a beautiful meal, and this book does that for me. It fed both my mind and my soul. The illustrations are stunning and the information so well presented, tasty to chew on, and satisfying to think about long after the reading is over. I knew about seed vaults, but had no idea of the number of them and the hazards they face as they protect our future biodiversity. I am going to recommend this to my daughter in law whose five year old will enjoy the read, but whose high school horticultural ag students will find it a great way to learn more about the topic, as well.

[Ann Staats · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book opens with readers entering into the Svalbard Global Seed Vault where over 580 million seeds are stored … just in case. This is a fascinating book that covers how this amazing facility was built, why we need it, how seeds are kept safe, and other interesting facts. Various pullouts include additional information about this seed vault and answers further questions including where the seeds are from and when seeds have been withdrawn from the vault. There is also an extensive back matter to further delve into this topic. Lovely illustrations complement the text and make this a fascinating and thoughtful read. Recommended!

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Far North in Norway built into the side of a mountain is a vault full of seeds from around the world. This vault is a backup just in case disasters around the world destroy plant life in those areas. This book explores the how and why seed banks like this exist.

First off, this is such a cool idea and it also makes perfect sense. Environmental and man-made disasters ravage native flora and fauna, threatening ecosystems and human crops. Seed vaults around the world help these regions recover. This book is informative and interesting, containing plenty of facts and beautiful illustrations showing nature around the world.

*ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

[Nora Nickum · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating, beautifully written and illustrated book about an impressive and important effort to save seeds for future needs - and why that is so important. The vault itself, built deep into a snow-covered mountain, was a monumental undertaking, and now there is global collaboration to make sure copies of plenty of diverse seeds are saved within. The back matter is also excellent - with additional detail about how the Svalbard Global Seed Vault came to be, and the challenges associated with saving seeds. Highly recommend!

[Christine Zandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated book shows us the importance of taking precautions "just in case." It was fascinating to learn how this global seed vault was built and I appreciate the interesting side facts--such as the arctic fox they builders named Salami! Many people not think about seeds and their huge importance but we are shown a real-life example of how, after a war in Syria, withdrawals from this global seed bank helped the war-torn country begin to recover. We also learn how crop biodiversity is beneficial.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating!

We hear so much about protecting endangered animals—something that’s near and dear to my heart—but who knew there was a special vault that was built to protect endangered seeds! Wait. Seeds need protecting? They do! And Clendenan’s text shares all the details—why they need protecting, the people who built a seed vault in the “belly of a mountain,” they difficulties they faced, and…how polar bears come into play. What? Intriguing, right?

Kids are going to love this truly interesting, beautifully illustrated book!

[Curtis Manley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Svalbard is a snowy island near the north pole. The sun isn’t seen for the entire winter. Even in summer it’s too cold to grow crops. But inside a protective tunnel chiseled into a frozen mountain is a collection of six hundred million seeds!

In clear prose and colorful, accurate illustrations, “Just in Case” tells the fascinating story of how the Svalbard Global Seed Vault came to be, why it’s important now, and why it will become even more important in helping keep everyone fed as Earth’s population grows and its climate changes.

[Lynn Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

Near the North Pole, snow swirls and teams work to build a vault to keep seeds safe. In case they are ever needed. This nonfiction picture book deftly covers the history of global seed banks, why seed biodiversity is important, and how storing millions of seeds underground helps to maintain it. Great back matter delves more into seed saving, crop diversity, farming practices, and how kids can grow and save their own seeds. A great book for schools or home libraries. It will appeal to kids with an interest in history, the environment, or food.