Stems

School Library Journal

Gr 2–5
Using clear language and short sentences, these titles provide descriptions of the forms and functions for the various parts of plants, such as the way in which roots carry food and water to the rest of the plant or the purpose of the stem. Processes such as photosynthesis and pollination are explained. Helpful diagrams and sharp, colorful photographs supplement the texts. The intricate and often symbiotic relationship between plants and animals is described in specific detail, e.g., plants often provide a food source for animals and also rely on them to spread seeds as a means of pollination. Relevant vocabulary such as "pistils," "sepals," and "evergreen" is used in context and defined in a glossary. Sidebars with facts that are labeled as "amazing" make for interesting reading and can be a draw for young readers. With a bit more detail than Gail Gibbons's From Seed to Plant (Holiday House, 1991) and easier to understand than Susan E. Goodman's Seeds, Stems, and Stamens (Millbrook, 2001), these books offer solid information in an attractive format.
—Jody KoppleCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information.