Flower Talk by Sarah Levine

Flower Talk by Sarah Levine is a cute read that teaches kids about the wonder of flower communication. The narrator is an adorably grumpy cactus who takes the reader through the pollination process. Next up is flower colours, and who they are communicating with. There are lots of neat facts in this short read! Like bees can’t see red. How cool is that! My cubs and I read this together and we all enjoyed it. A great addition to any nature-loving child’s library, or for use in classrooms. Recommended!

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Lerner Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

 

Perfectly Peculiar Plants written by Chris Thorogood, and illustrated by Catell Ronca

Perfectly Peculiar Plants written by Chris Thorogood, and illustrated by Catell Ronca, looks at a number if unusual plants from all over the world. From giant waterlillies, to air plants, to dead horse arum, each plant gets a two page spread listing neat facts, as well as giving the name in English and Latin. There were three or four additional sections that addressed how plants get energy, how they move, and different categories, like symbiotic, parasitical, or carnivorous. Overall, both my cubs and I liked this book. I don’t much care for the art, though my cubs enjoyed it. Perfect for the child who enjoyed nature and botany.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

 

Follow that Bee! by Scott Ritchie

Follow that Bee! by Scott Ritchie follows a group of friends as they learn about urban beekeeping. Mr Cardinal owes an apiary. He keeps bees in his backyard. They learn the types of bee ‘jobs’ there are, what kind of plants they like, how to calm bees and harvest honey. Mr Cardinal sells his honey at a local market. Now I want fresh honey!

The synopsis of the book gives the five friend’s names, but until the latter half of the story, they are called either ‘the friends’ or ‘the five friends’, which came across to me as cold and impersonal. I felt like the kids were of maybe even just tertiary importance to the story. It was much more interesting as the names started being used. I like the extra info the author gave about bees and beekeeping. Recommended for any kid who loves animals/ insects!

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Kids Can Press for providing an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

 

 

Owling by Mark Wilson

Through gorgeous photos and plenty of cool facts, Owling by Mark Wilson teaches kids about these beautiful birds of the night. Nineteen different North American owls are looked at. Learn how they fly silently, see so well, can turn their heads so far around, as well as learning how to identify different owl calls and feathers, and even how to carry on a conversation with a nearby owl. My cubs and I loved this book! We have great horned owls around us, and ‘talk’ with them sometimes. We also have a ‘ghost owl’ (aka barn owl) in the neighborhood. I’m 100% convinced they are responsible for banshee legends. Recommended for those with an interest in nature!

***Many thanks to Netgalley & Storey Publishing for providing an ecopy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

 

My Favourite Pet: Mice by Victoria Marcos

My Favourite Pet: Mice by Victoria Marcos teaches kids about keeping mice as pets. Using simple, concise language, children learn how to house and feed a pet mouse, and how mice enjoy playing. I read this with my younger cubs. There isn’t much text, but a plethora of adorable pictures. We might have enjoyed this more if the topic were new, but we’ve kept rats, which I find a better starter pet than mice. They are bigger, and more intelligent. At the end is a glossary and a series of study questions. I think this would be a good book to give kids an overview of mice as pets, and help kids and parents get a feel for these cute critters. Definitely a starting point. If serious about keeping mice, be sure to get some more in-depth information too!

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Xist Publishing for providing a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.