The book is divided up into sections, based on how different plants seed themselves, and the first is titled "Fly Away." A dandelion is shown in a series of panels, growing from a yellow flower being pollinated to an intricate mandala of seeds and then a child blows the seeds and they travel away on the wind. The sequence continues on the following page as the seeds are planted and sprout to create another cheerful yellow dandelion. A final page in the section shows a selection of plants whose seeds are planted by the wind, including a milk thistle, ragwort, and horseweed. Following sections feature a strawberry plant sending out runners, chestnuts and maples whose seeds "fall and whirl and bounce," a burdock whose seeds cling, berries that are eaten, violets whose seeds explode, a variety of seeds that are planted by animals, water lilies that float to a new location, and Solomon's seal and lily of the valley that burrow underground to spread their rhizomes. The final section shows how humans cultivate plants, a list of the scientific names for how seeds move, and a diagram of a flower.
It is a little confusing that the book uses plants and seeds interchangeably; I would guess this is due to something in the translation. Also all of the faces and hands depicted are white and the samples of cultivated foods leave out the continents of Africa and Oceania. However, the delicate black and white illustrations, showing in careful detail how the seeds spread and grow, are lovely to look at and make an easy guide for young readers making their own graphs and scientific experiments.
Verdict: This is a lovely and accessible introduction to how plants spread their seeds and their growth cycle. Recommended for most libraries, especially if you serve elementary students.
ISBN: 9781623541484; Published May 2021 by Charlesbridge; Borrowed from another library in my consortium
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