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.
The Great Pollination Investigation
Bursting with curiosity, a little girl decides to investigate ‘something mysterious called pollination’. This quest takes her and her friends on an adventure of discovery!
Interactive and engaging, ‘The Great Pollination Investigation’ is a brilliant read. Produced in partnership with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, it offers a detailed explanation of the process of pollination and its role in food production, using the appropriate scientific vocabulary.
Not only are the vibrant, bright illustrations really appealing, but flaps and pop-ups allow children to explore and engage with every page. Perfect for supporting the primary science curriculum, the book would appeal as much to older children as younger ones and has much to offer as it is bursting with facts and so beautifully presented.
Reading for pleasure should never be limited to fiction- books like this one have an essential role to play in engaging readers and allowing them to explore and ‘read’ in different ways. Ideas for how to create a pollination investigation and make a pollination wand are included at the end of the book. An excellent addition to any library, this is a gorgeous book.
The Great Pollination Investigation
Deborah Hocking
Templar, in partnership with the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew
ISBN: 978-1800788138
What Do You See When You Look at a Tree?
What do you see when you look at a tree?
Leaves and twigs and branches?
Or do you see a living thing
that moves and breathes and dances?
In this lovely, large format book, author and illustrator, Emma Carlisle, urges the reader to reconnect with nature and appreciate the beauty of the trees around us. Through simple questions, the gentle rhyming text explores how unique trees are and the important role they play in nature.
The final pages offer further information about trees and how they communicate with each other, developing the reader’s understanding of these incredible plants. There are also mindfulness tips which show how we can learn from trees to look after ourselves and each others.
Every spread is beautifully illustrated, using soft, calming colours and they are perfect for exploring alongside the thoughtful questions posed by the text. The book is published in association with The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew and the Palm House features in one of the pictures, perfect for introducing children to this historic place. The book is perfect for starting conversations about the wonder of trees whether at home or at school.
What Do You See When You Look at a Tree?
written and illustrated by Emma Carlisle
Big Picture Press with the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
ISBN: 978- 1800781276