Review by Booklist Review
With so much national concern about child obesity and nutrition, this accessible, inviting introduction to vegetables, aimed at the picture-book crowd, is certainly timely. Following the tried-and-true formula found in her previous titles, Gibbons matches concise, simple text with bright, cheerful watercolor-and-ink artwork, and she adds more information in text boxes placed within the pictures. The facts range from the most basic ( It is good for us to eat vegetables. They are nutritious. ) to the more advanced, such as a definition of hydroponics. Gibbons' survey is visually inclusive; the pictures show families of all shades enjoying vegetables in different ways. And the scenes in the garden, and then on the farm and at the supermarket, show both small- and large-scale production. A final page adds more interesting veggie trivia. For complementary titles about vegetables and how they're grown, pair this with George Ancona's Harvest (2001) and Deborah Kogan Ray's Lily's Garden (2002), as well as the books featured in From Seed to Harvest, in the November 2006 issue of Book Links magazine.--Engberg, Gillian Copyright 2007 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 4-Gail Gibbons knows how to create solid nonfiction books, two of which receive quality treatment in these video presentations. In Fruits, young viewers learn all about fruits found on plants, bushes, vines, and trees-everything from berries to bananas-with many examples given. In Vegetables, Gibbons introduces all kinds of vegetables presented by types-flower bud, bulb, root, fruit vegetable-with plenty of examples. Vegetables in our diet, ways to prepare them, and products made from these foods are also highlighted. Both productions discuss pollination and home gardens vs. large commercial ventures and include notable fruit and vegetable facts. An impressively wide variety is shown in Gibbons's realistic watercolor and ink illustrations that feature pastel tones softened by graceful lines, many with labeled pictures. Vocabulary is introduced along the way as narrator Qarie Marshall reads the clear and informative text with a sprightly musical background. VERDICT The two productions offer solid overviews. Valuable resources for plant and nutrition units.-Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
With brief text and useful illustrations, Gibbons explains the eight groups of vegetables, such as stem, tuber, and leaf, and also includes basic farming information. While the somewhat dry text may not make kids beg to go down the produce aisle, teachers and caretakers will find the book useful for lessons on nutrition. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
