Total Pageviews

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Nature All Around: Plants. Written by Pamela Hickman and illustrated by Carolyn Gavin. Kids Can Press, 2020. $19.99 ages 9 and up

"Take a look at the flowers in your neighborhood. You'll see a rainbow of colors and lots of different shapes and sizes. If you get nose-to-nose with some flowers, you can smell their sweet scents. People have enjoyed flowers for thousands of years, but the colors, shapes and fragrances of flowers are really designed to attract pollinators, including birds, bats and insects such as honeybees."

In this newest addition to the Nature All Around series, Pamela Hickman follows the pattern from previous books. Conversational in tone, and providing the perfect measure of material for her target audience, this book moves forward with the resplendent artwork and precise text that educates while also inspiring readers to take a close look at all that is shared here. It is also an excellent book for learning about nonfiction elements.

As happens with books that mentor learners, she begins with a concise table of contents. Each double page spread further informs concerning all things plant. There are, indeed, plants all around us. She describes the life of a plant, the flowers, plants through the seasons, growing zones, habitats, careful observation, unusual species, endangered plants and how to grow microgreens.

"Spreading Seeds

The seeds of wild plants can spread in many amazing ways. Seeds sail on the wind, float in the water or hitch a ride on an animal. Seeds have to spread out so that they are not competing with each other for the soil, water and sunshine they need to grow. Many seeds don't land in the right spot, and so they never grow."

Kids with a penchant for the natural world and how it works will enjoy this fine introduction. They are sure to learn something new and be inspired to take a close look at the world around them. Carolyn Gavin's colorful, accurate artwork adds a further dimension to the learning. 

A glossary and index follow and provide guidance for finding specific information.

No comments:

Post a Comment