Flowers

Gr 3-5-Readers get a virtual bug's-eye view of the natural world in these beautifully photographed, succinctly written introductions. In the first book, Pascoe briefly describes basic flower anatomy; the differences between "perfect" and "imperfect" flowers; major characteristics of the two main groups of flowering plants; distinctive characteristics of about a dozen kinds; their life cycles; ecological importance; and usefulness to humankind. Spittlebugs describes the major traits shared by all members of the Homoptera suborder; their typical life cycle; distinctive physical and behavioral characteristics of a dozen representatives; and ways they either harm or benefit humankind. Each title also provides step-by-step directions for several hands-on projects and activities as well as about a half dozen fairly simple, inexpensive experiments. Both titles are well organized, with terms defined as they appear. However, it is the photography that is the highlight here. Different-sized, sharply focused pictures complement the text on almost every page; many are remarkably detailed, extreme close-ups of flower or insect anatomy. David Burnie's Plant (DK, 2000) briefly covers some of the same material on flowering plants, but Pascoe offers more in-depth information on the subject. Jinny Johnson's Simon & Schuster Children's Guide to Insects and Spiders (S & S, 1997) has brief entries on a few of the same insects featured, but Spittlebugs describes the characteristics of a greater number of sap-sucking insects in more detail. With their excellent photography, crisp texts, and intriguing activities, both titles will be useful additions to most natural-history sections.-Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.