Reviews
There are so many incredible books available at the moment that it is impossible to read them all, no matter how hard I try! Here are my thoughts about some of the books I have read and how I think they could be used in school as well as Q and A sessions with authors and illustrators.
Seeds: Nature’s Intrepid Miracles
‘Seeds’ is one of those books which encourages readers to pause and reflect upon the beauties of nature, allowing time to notice and appreciate these often tiny objects. Highlighting their incredible diversity, it focuses on nearly 150 seeds from across the world.
The illustrations are simply stunning, each one a work of art. Arranged in sections which reflect how they are dispersed, each seed is given a page of its own which offers information beneath the illustration. The binomial classification for each plant is given in the top corner of each page and a ‘multiplied by’ is given to indicate the seeds original size.
Some of the language is a little ‘flowery’ (no pun intended!), but this adds to the book’s charm, using some quirky and poetic vocabulary! The book concludes with information about the Svalbard Global Seed Vault and some record breaking details. Both a detailed index and a section called ‘Some Shortcuts’ make it easy to locate specific seeds, but this is a book to be browsed and enjoyed at leisure!
Seeds: Nature’s Intrepid Miracles
Cruschiform
Prestel ISBN: 978-3791375960
Fluffy, Flying Seed
Starting with a tiny dandelion seed floating on the wind, ‘Fluffy, Flying Seed’ shows the lifecycle of a plant, both through the seed’s own narrative and facts.
The latest in the ‘Start Small, Think Big’ series, the book is perfectly pitched to encourage curiosity in the natural world and help young readers discover more about the world around them. A fold out map at the end of the book shows the regions across the world where dandelions grow and includes a meadow i-spy for children to enjoy.
Text at two levels allows children to independently read the narrative and be supported, if need be, with the factual content, making the book perfect for both home and school. Covering various topics from the science curriculum, the explanations are clear and concise, using the correct technical terms. It is an engaging and enjoyable read, full of delightful illustrations- a lovely addition to any bookshelf!
Fluffy, Flying Seed
Mary Auld, illustrated by Dawn Cooper
Mama Makes Books ISBN: 978-1916780071
You can read my reviews of ‘Small, Speckled Egg’ and ‘Little, Brown Nut’ here.