Plant Secrets [Hardcover]

Emily Goodman (Author), Phyllis Limbacher Tildes (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2009 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Plants come in all shapes and sizes, but they go through the same stages as they grow. Using four common plants, young readers learn about a plant's life cycles. Simple text and colorful illustrations show the major phases of plant growth: seed, plant, flower, and fruit. Back matter offers more information on each plant, as well as on each stage of growth.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2—Children will look at plants with new eyes after reading this fresh introduction. The plant cycle is introduced, beginning and ending with seeds. After a short description of the many variations of a particular stage, the next page states, "But all these [plants, flowers, fruits, etc.] have a SECRET." Readers are asked if they can identify four key plants (peas, oak trees, tomatoes, roses) at each transition. Using recognizable descriptions, e.g., "round, like plates" or "like balls of fuzz" and getting no more scientific than "pollen," the text will draw readers into the wonder of the topic. Bold color-coded headings introduce each of the four stages. Realistic spot illustrations, beginning with the endpapers, present the variety described in the text. Only the closing endpapers include labels but identification of the other plants, both common and unusual, could be part of the fun. At each transition, the four key plants are framed by the lens of a magnifying glass. End matter includes further detail about each stage and the plant that represents it, e.g., peas for seeds, oak trees for plants, roses for flowers, and tomatoes for fruit. Use this well-designed volume as a the perfect launch to a unit on plants.—Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From Booklist

This fully illustrated presentation introduces the “secrets” at each stage of a typical plant’s life cycle, starting with the seed and returning to it: the seed hides “a tiny new plant,” the plant can make a flower, the flower has the potential fruit within it, and the fruit contains a seed. The idea of a plant’s life cycle is developed through four examples simultaneously: the rose, the oak, the pea, and the tomato. In large-scale gouache paintings, other plants also appear on some pages, adding color and variety but also, potentially, a bit of confusion. Keeping the four main plants and the four stages of growth straight is probably complicated enough for the young audience targeted in this large-format book. The pages concentrating on those plants are pleasing in their simplicity and clarity. Throughout the book, the sentences are short and nicely cadenced for reading aloud. A good, early introduction to the stages of plant growth. Preschool-Grade 2. --Carolyn Phelan

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing; New edition (February 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580892043
• ISBN-13: 978-1580892049
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,788,154 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review from www.firrkids.com, January 25, 2009

By 

www.firrkids.com - See all my reviews

This review is from: Plant Secrets (Hardcover)

This book offers a wonderfully insightful look into the life cycle of plants. We begin with seeds. If they receive the proper amounts of water, sun and air, they will grow into plants. Plants produce flowers, which in turn, create fruit. Inside each fruit is .... you guessed it - seeds!

The explanations are worded very simply, which makes this an ideal read for younger children. For each step, the same four common plants are used as the example, so we can "see" how they appear in each set of the process. And what a great way to learn this process! We watch as the seeds of rose, oak, pea and tomato progress from seeds that are difficult to distinguish into plants which vary greatly in appearance.

The explanations are accompanied by big, bold illustrations in vivid colors. The kids in our group had a great time identifying the flowers, fruits and leaves pictures on each page. Even if a reader is too young to truly grasp the plant cycle, he or she will still enjoy these beautiful drawings.

The plant cycle is a fascinating process, and this book offers a great introduction. The simple presentation and engaging photos make this book an ideal choice for any young gardener.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Plant secrets revealed!, March 12, 2009

By 

B. Lowell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Plant Secrets (Hardcover)

Did you know that seeds, plants, flowers, and fruits have secrets? They do. Their secrets are unlocked in "Plant Secrets," Emily Goodman's page turning look at the world of plants. With bright, colorful illustrations, inviting text, and a surprise ending, "Plant Secrets" is the introduction to plants that young children will love.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Secrets no longer, August 11, 2009

By 

Frank E. Perry - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Plant Secrets (Paperback)

Emily Goodman's "Plant Secrets" opens up the world of plants for small children. The text moves step by step through the life cycle of plants at a level that small children can follow. The illustrations help bring the stories of plants to life. Ms. Goodman's use of common plants such as oaks and roses, helps kids trace the lives of plants from seed to plant to flower to fruit and back to seed.