Plants
Science library Series
What’s inside...
The world we live in is shaped by amazing developments, discoveries and inventions of science. These information-packed books chart the progress of these achievements and present the reader with powerful text and facts about a wide variety of science and technological topics.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did you find most interesting about how plants grow?
Can you think of ways we could help plants grow better at home or in our community?
How do plants help other creatures in the book? Can you think of examples from our own environment?
What do you think would happen if there were no plants in the world?
If you were a plant, what kind would you like to be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences with plants, either at home or in nature.
Use the illustrations in the book to talk about different parts of plants and their functions.
Discuss the importance of taking care of the environment as illustrated through the book’s themes.
After reading, consider planting a small flower or vegetable together to give a practical understanding of the book’s lessons.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Respect for nature
Explanation: The book 'Plants' by Reilly teaches children the importance of plants in our ecosystem. Through vivid imagery and engaging narratives, children learn how plants contribute to our environment by providing oxygen and food.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in gardening activities at home or in school, learning to take care of plants and understanding their role in the ecological balance.
Example Lesson: Patience and responsibility
Explanation: As the characters in the book care for their plants, they learn that plants require time to grow and must be nurtured consistently. This mirrors the responsibilities that come with taking care of a living organism.
Real-World Application: Children learn to apply these values by taking on small responsibilities like watering plants regularly or keeping a plant diary, developing patience as they watch their plants grow over time.
Example Lesson: Scientific curiosity
Explanation: Reilly introduces basic botanical concepts in a child-friendly way, sparking curiosity about the science behind how plants grow, what they need, and how they affect the environment.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to explore science further, perhaps leading them to conduct simple experiments like growing plants from seeds or observing how plants change with the seasons.
Example Lesson: Interconnectedness of life
Explanation: The book explores the relationship between plants and other living things, teaching children how all elements within an ecosystem depend on each other for survival.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value all forms of life, understanding that every creature, big or small, has a role in the natural world, fostering a sense of environmental stewardship.