Nature All Around: Plants

Gr 2-4–The third book in the “Nature All Around” series is a beautifully illustrated volume that explains a plant’s life in brief, descriptive text and watercolor-and-gouache paintings. Sophisticated words are featured; photosynthesis, respiration, pollination, habitat, and endangered plants are defined in a few short sentences. A one-page pictorial teaches the three stages of growth in monocot and dicot seeds. A spread shows how certain types of flowers are attracted to specific butterflies and moths, birds, and bees. Illustrated charts introduce difficult concepts: pollination; insect-eating plants; how seeds are spread; growing zones; plant habitats and identification. A full-page illustration introduces each season and briefly describes what occurs in a plant’s life cycle during this season. A short discussion of plant habitats includes aquatic, arctic, alpine, and desert plants. A full-page “recipe” provides instructions for growing “microgreens.” A two-page glossary and an index will help youngsters remember plant terminology and locate specific information.