Plants! – Book Review

Book Review
Explorer: Plants!
Written by Nick Forshaw
Illustrated by William Exley
Published March 5, 2019

Why we chose this book:
We have become big fans of the timeline books; T likes to have an entire book read all in one sitting. They are kinda long when you do that. Good. But long. (No pun intended; I'm just so witty that it comes without trying!) So how could we resist the pull of another timeline book? What on Earth? Books provided a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review:
Similar to Dinosaurs!, Bugs!, and Mammals!, Plants! is part graphic novel, part scientist's notebook, and part informational picture book, with a six-foot fold-out timeline in the back. Again, Agent Osprey must travel back in time to compile a report on the history of plants. Plants! is her scientist's notebook and her report. The book is divided by topics ranging from plant origins to reproduction to humans' use. Each topic is broken down into two two-page spreads. The first spread explains the content; the second is illustration-rich and provides detailed examples.

T and I both thoroughly enjoy the setup of the book. Fact boxes and Polaroid-type insets catch T's eye and provide interesting information. He especially likes the bright, illustration-full pages; T likes to select pictures that interest him and have me read the caption. I think I've learned more than T, which is a good thing, I think. He's at an age where he should be exploring and appreciating nature, letting his curiosity reign.  I'm at an age where I should at least know plant basics and what I'm touching. I never cognized, for example, that there is more than one type of acorn. I feel a bit stupid about that. Especially since I've actually collected different types of acorns and thought, "Oh, this is a really long acorn. Huh."

This summer, T and I started to read Plants! outside, which led naturally to comparing the plants around us to the plants in the book. This in turn led us to a plant-specimen-collection game, which we first played when we visited T's dad at work. We spent a good hour collecting samples all over campus that day.

The goal of the game, if you can term it that, is this: Collect specimens and try to answer questions.

Some of the questions we try to answer are these:
Can we find a similar plant in the book?
How does the plant reproduce?
What kind of leaves does it have?
How does it protect itself?
How does it get the sun and water it needs?

Now, T is enthusiastic to collect more samples whenever we are on campus; he is much more attuned to the differences of plants there. It is a fun game for both of us, and I think that paying closer attention to our natural surroundings has made our campus walks much more enjoyable for both of us. Thanks, What on Earth? Books for being the impetus!

Plants! readers will learn the basic history and numerous fascinating details of plant growth and development over the life of the Earth. Vivid illustrations and comprehensible narration will catch and retain children's attention. However, Plants! lends itself better to exploration than to story-time.

How will you use the Plants! book and timeline?

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