All summer I’ll be sharing books for kids of all ages on topics that will interest them or offer them a new interest to learn about. Most of the time these will be nonfiction books, but sometimes we can learn from fictional stories too. I frequently learn from books sent during a historical period because usually the fictional story is based on real events.
So, I hope you will stay tuned to these posts. They will always have Summer Read-to-Learn in the title and in the tags. There will be books from some of my favorite publishers like National Geographic, Phaidon, Chronicle Kids, Prestel, and many others.
To see all the posts from my Summer Read-to-Learn series, click HERE.
A HOME FOR EVERY PLANT
Wonders of the Botanical World
By: Matthew Biggs
Illustrated by: Lucila Perini
Published: May 10, 2023
Publisher: Phaidon
Non-Fiction
With over 40 habitats throughout over 5 different types of climates, kids will be exposed to all kinds of plants in our world. But the best part is that each section shares ways to grow these specific types of plants in your own home. As a plant lover, I loved this feature of the book and learned so much.
The book begins by explaining all the parts of a plant and their role in helping the plant pollinate and grow. Then each of the climates is explained including tropical, Mediterranean, temperate, arid, cold, and aquatic. The colors on each page are so vivid and the illustrations are accurate and vibrant that kids will be wowed on each page.
From endangered plants to plants that thrive in salt water to plants that bloom flowers the size of saucers to plants that don’t bloom at all, there is a wide variety of plants in our world. There is even a plant that eats shrews and rats! The king monkey cup has a nectar that shrews and rats love to lick but if they stay too long, they will be food for the plant.
Throughout the book, there are also sidebars that share something that particular plant is useful for such as the cork in a Cork Oak tree or soapbark in the Soapbark Tree. I also think kids will be surprised how many of the plants featured in the book can actually be grown in or outside of our own homes. The Monstera (Swiss Cheese Plant), Lavender, Sunflowers, and Snake Plants are good examples. Kids might be surprised to know that there are even plants in the Antarctic region.
The end of the book shares tips for growing plants at home including propagating which is a fun way to share plants with others. Also knowing what type of climate your plant originated from helps with knowing where to place the plant in your home. A plant will maybe need to be in a bathroom for the humidity or near a sunny window for plants that are used to lots of sunshine.
I found this hefty, oversized book to be extremely thorough and interesting. Get your child excited about caring for a plant by reading this book and then choosing one from your favorite local plant shop.
Matthew Biggs, a graduate of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, is a well-known British gardener, broadcaster, and author of fifteen gardening and plant-related books. He is a panel member on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time.
Lucila Perini is an illustrator based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her illustrations can be found in leading publications, advertising campaigns, and digital media worldwide.
To purchase a copy of A HOME FOR EVERY PLANT, click the photo below:
Other posts you might like:
Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to make a purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.
Posted Under Book Review, Children's books, Lucila Perini, Matthew Biggs, plants, Summer Read-to-Learn