Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 02/15/2020 Like the two previous books in the Nature All Around series, Trees (2019) and Bugs (2019), this large-format volume introduces an enormous subject by focusing on one aspect at a time. A Canadian writer with a background in environmental studies and biology, Hickman understands the topic (flowering plants) and doesn’t talk down to children. The overall organization of information seems a bit random, jumping from common structures in flowering plants to natural defenses to photosynthesis to the differences in how humans and various pollinators perceive the colors of flowers, all within six pages. But each individual page offers interesting facts, and the accompanying illustrations are quite helpful in showing a monocot seed and a dicot seed at several stages of germination, for example, or whether the leaves on a stem are opposite, alternate, or whorled. Adding enormously to the book’s appeal, Gavin’s many watercolor-and-gouache paintings vary from small pictures of particular wildflowers to large scenes featuring plants in different seasons. An appended activity page shows how to grow microgreens. An attractive science book. - Copyright 2020 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 04/01/2020 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. VERDICT This brief introduction to the world of plants is a serviceable primer.—Susan Scheps, formerly at Shaker Public Library, OH - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

School Library Journal - 04/01/2020 - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.