Plants Feed Me

February 3, 2014
In a celebration of growing (and eating) fresh vegetables and fruit, Rockwell’s glossy digital artwork depicts upbeat children plucking apples, picking tomatoes, planting seeds, and watering gardens. A cross-section of a garden bed shows plants like asparagus, onion, parsnip, and beets, their roots fanning down into the soil; other pages focus on fruits (“Pumpkins, peppers, and eggplants are fruits too”) and seeds, including beans, rice, wheat, and walnuts. The basic, declarative sentences and use of repetition—“I eat different parts from different plants. Sometimes I eat the leaves. And sometimes I eat the roots and tubers”—underscore the message suggested by the title. Rockwell treats each vegetable like a treasure; even kids with aversions to veggies may be intrigued. Ages 4–8.

March 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 2-This helpful book for young readers sheds light on the edible aspects of plants. Through first-person narration, Rockwell covers where plants grow and discusses their different parts (fruits, seeds, stems), explaining which ones we consume. Vivid and detailed gauche and colored-pencil-on-paper illustrations fill each page, and many of the pictures are actually large diagrams with labels and captions that complement the facts described. Though the text is simple and straightforward, it's perfect for developing readers. This book will make a fine addition to libraries that serve children and have a need for materials on this particular subject matter.-Nancy Jo Lambert, Ruth Borchardt Elementary, Plano, TX

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2014
This simplest of informational picture books offers a sensible, sunny celebration of the plants--specifically the parts of plants--that we eat. The opening scene shows a boy seated at table surrounded by a rich harvest. He's holding a watermelon rind that mirrors the wide grin he wears, helping to set the good-natured tone of the book. As preschoolers examine the pages, they will learn about the featured fruits and vegetables and how they grew. Warm gouache-and-colored-pencil illustrations first depict a garden where "Plants reach up for the sun. / They grow down in the ground." As the narrator goes on to explain that "I eat different parts from different plants," such as roots, tubers, bulbs, stems, flowers and seeds, youngsters will find labeled images to peruse. The short, declarative sentences are easily digested by the very youngest and will tempt burgeoning readers to test their skills. Best of all, children will surely be inspired to taste some of the produce the next time it appears on their plates. Delicious on its own, and it will pair well with other books about gardens, plants and healthy eating habits. (Informational picture book. 2-5)

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March 1, 2014
Preschool-K A cheerful cast of multicultural kids demonstrates how plants are instrumental parts of what we eat in the latest from Rockwell (The Busy Body Book, 2004). Detailed colored-pencil-and-gouache illustrations show plants and the parts we harvest for foodleaves from lettuce and chard plants; roots and tubers from carrot and potato plants; fruits from apple trees, tomato plants, blueberry bushes, and pumpkin vines; seeds from wheat grass and walnut trees; and all kinds of beans from pods of many shapes. Full-page spreads depict children in the garden and on a farm harvesting fruits and vegetables, and helpful cross sections and close-ups reveal plants above and below the ground, with each part clearly labeled and a recognizable image of what that plant looks like once it gets to a grocery store. It's easy to forget where everyday food comes from, but this gentle, colorful picture book explains, simply and accurately, how food gets from the garden and farm onto dining-room tables.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2014
"Fruits hang from the tomato plant. / Pumpkins, peppers, and eggplants are fruits too." A young boy describes the different parts of plants he eats, such as leaves of spinach, stems of asparagus, bulbs of onions, flowers of broccoli, and fruit of tomato and walnuts. Straightforward text and clear, well-labeled, pleasing illustrations make this a useful introduction to botany.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)