Plants Can Bite!: (Turquoise Band)
Engage literacy Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
A fascinating exploration of the lesser-known side of plants that have developed unique and sometimes frightening mechanisms for survival and defense.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think it means when the book says 'Plants Can Bite!'?
Can you imagine a plant that could move on its own? What would it look like?
How do you think plants help the environment, even the ones in this book that seem a bit scary?
Which plant from the book was your favorite and why?
If you could create your own 'biting plant', what special features would it have?
Tip: Role play these questions
Emphasize the imaginative aspects of the book to inspire creativity. Ask your child to draw or describe their version of a 'biting plant'.
Discuss the importance of plants in nature and how even fictional, fantastical plants can have characteristics similar to real ones.
Connect the story to real-life plants that move or react, like the Venus flytrap, to bridge the gap between fantasy and reality.
After reading, encourage your child to tell their own story about a fantastical plant, fostering narrative skills and reinforcing the book’s themes.
Use the book as a starting point to explore plant life, maybe by planting a seed together and observing its growth, relating it back to the book’s content.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Respect for nature
Explanation: The book 'Plants Can Bite!: (Turquoise Band)' illustrates the surprising aspects of some plants, teaching children that nature should be handled with care and respect.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by being cautious and respectful when interacting with plants and animals in their environment, fostering a sense of stewardship for nature.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and learning
Explanation: The storyline encourages exploring and learning about unusual plants, showing that curiosity can lead to exciting discoveries.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to ask questions and explore the natural world around them, whether in a park, during a school trip, or in their own backyard.
Example Lesson: Caution and safety
Explanation: The book teaches children about the defensive mechanisms of some plants, underlining the importance of being careful and informed.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to assess situations for potential dangers, and apply caution not just with nature, but in all unfamiliar situations.