TITLE: PLANT A POCKET OF PRAIRIE
AUTHOR: Phyllis Root
ILLUSTRATOR: Betsy Bowen
DATE: 2014
PUBLISHER: University of Minnesota Press
STARS: *****
Author Phyllis Root and illustrator Betsy Bowen last explored the vast, boggy peatlands of northern Minnesota in their book Big Belching Bog. Now, in Plant a Pocket of Prairie, Root and Bowen take young readers on a trip to another of Minnesota’s important ecosystems: the prairie.
Once covering almost 40 percent of the United States, native prairie is today one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world. Plant a Pocket of Prairie teaches children how changes in one part of the system affect every other part: when prairie plants are destroyed, the animals who eat those plants and live on or around them are harmed as well. Root shows what happens when we work to restore the prairies, encouraging readers to “plant a pocket of prairie” in their own backyards.
By growing native prairie plants, children can help re-create food and habitat for the many birds, butterflies, and other animals that depend on them. “Plant cup plants,” Root suggests. “A thirsty chickadee might come to drink from a tiny leaf pool. Plant goldenrod. A Great Plains toad might flick its tongue at goldenrod soldier beetles.” An easy explanation of the history of the prairie, its endangered status, and how to go about growing prairie plants follows, as well as brief descriptions of all the plants and animals mentioned in the story.
With Betsy Bowen’s beautiful, airy illustrations capturing the feel of an open prairie and all its inhabitants, readers of all ages will be inspired to start planting seeds and watching for the many fascinating animals their plants attract. What a marvelous transformation could take place if we all planted a pocket of prairie!
For ages 5-10.
This charming book encourages readers young and old to bring back the prairie by planting their own little pocket of plants native to long-lost prairies. I enjoyed the progression of the author’s suggested plantings, and the illustrations harmonized well with the prose.
It was written about Minnesota, but it made me more than a little homesick for my own former home on the Canadian prairies. I recognized many of the plants and birds from the view out my windows.
I was offered an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion, and I believe this book earns five stars. I would buy it for my grandchildren.
AUTHOR: Phyllis Root
ILLUSTRATOR: Betsy Bowen
DATE: 2014
PUBLISHER: University of Minnesota Press
STARS: *****
Author Phyllis Root and illustrator Betsy Bowen last explored the vast, boggy peatlands of northern Minnesota in their book Big Belching Bog. Now, in Plant a Pocket of Prairie, Root and Bowen take young readers on a trip to another of Minnesota’s important ecosystems: the prairie.
Once covering almost 40 percent of the United States, native prairie is today one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world. Plant a Pocket of Prairie teaches children how changes in one part of the system affect every other part: when prairie plants are destroyed, the animals who eat those plants and live on or around them are harmed as well. Root shows what happens when we work to restore the prairies, encouraging readers to “plant a pocket of prairie” in their own backyards.
By growing native prairie plants, children can help re-create food and habitat for the many birds, butterflies, and other animals that depend on them. “Plant cup plants,” Root suggests. “A thirsty chickadee might come to drink from a tiny leaf pool. Plant goldenrod. A Great Plains toad might flick its tongue at goldenrod soldier beetles.” An easy explanation of the history of the prairie, its endangered status, and how to go about growing prairie plants follows, as well as brief descriptions of all the plants and animals mentioned in the story.
With Betsy Bowen’s beautiful, airy illustrations capturing the feel of an open prairie and all its inhabitants, readers of all ages will be inspired to start planting seeds and watching for the many fascinating animals their plants attract. What a marvelous transformation could take place if we all planted a pocket of prairie!
For ages 5-10.
This charming book encourages readers young and old to bring back the prairie by planting their own little pocket of plants native to long-lost prairies. I enjoyed the progression of the author’s suggested plantings, and the illustrations harmonized well with the prose.
It was written about Minnesota, but it made me more than a little homesick for my own former home on the Canadian prairies. I recognized many of the plants and birds from the view out my windows.
I was offered an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion, and I believe this book earns five stars. I would buy it for my grandchildren.
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