Discover the intricate process of pollination in a lyrical narrative from a noted biologist, packed with information-rich asides and paired with spectacular botanical illustrations.
We live in a world of green that grows from seeds, but what happens before there are seeds? In a graceful text grounded by riveting science, biologist Susannah Buhrman-Deever explains how whirling winds, buzzy bees, and bustling birds move pollen from flower to flower, answering each plant’s special invitation.
Lush botanical illustrations by artist duo Gina Triplett and Matt Curtius bring each tiny detail of the process to life, and the final pages remind us why it’s important to take action to protect our pollinators. From bees and bats to beetles and hummingbirds, the text covers creatures from all over the world that aid in flower pollination, as well as the sophisticated mechanisms flowering plants have developed in order to reproduce.
Back matter includes more information on flower anatomy, how to support local pollinators in your own backyard, and the dangers that global warming poses to pollinator species.---from the publisher
40 pages 978-1536226577 Ages 7-10
Keywords: pollination, how things work, plants, biology, 7 year old, 8 year old, 9 year old, 10 year old, information, wonder
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A gorgeous book that can open our eyes to the value, the essential importance, of insects, moths, birds, butterflies in bringing us the flowers and fruits and vegetables we know as basic survival tools for every human on this planet because this book explains the miracle of pollination.
If I were reading this to a child, I would begin at the back of the book in the backmatter with beautiful picture of the parts of a flower. (A few of us adults have forgotten the stamen and the stigma lessons of the 4th grade and we could use a refresher too.) You can clearly see the stigma and the stamen in the picture and then you can understand that we need something to move the pollen from the anther (part of the stamen) to the stigma (the top part of the pistil).
It's pretty incredible that nature sends out flies - yes flies- and moths, bats, butterflies and bees - like a magical army ready to deliver that powerful pollen to the exact spot on the flower where the seed will be created. Think about that for a minute.
You like onions on your burger? Thank a fly. You need a cup of tea in the morning? Thank a fly. No kidding.
The folks at MIT Press have put together a book that opens up the mysteries of nature that happen right in front of us all over the world. Color, scent, "mouths, wings, tongues and toes" are all working together to get the job done.
This book goes beyond the process of pollination and gives us the new information that scientists are discovering these days about the power of color, the importance of scent, how a butterfly finds it way back to a flower and so much more. That's what MIT Press does so well - they bring us the up to the minute new research and information in a way we can take it in and enjoy it.
We are blessed and I think we have a lot more to learn. This story can open the eyes and minds of our children to connect more deeply to our natural world - the world that cradles them - and delivers quiet little miracles all around us every day.
Recommended by: Barb Langridge, abookandahug.com
