The Kids Canadian Plant Book

Barbara Robertson is the author of Wilfrid Laurier: The Great
Conciliator and co-author of The Well-Filled Cupboard.

These admirable books combine information and activities to help
children observe nature in a surprising variety of ways, none of them
unduly complicated. You can construct a waterscope to make it easier to
see insect life in the water, and, if the view of insects on the window
screen in a lighted room does not sufficiently satisfy curiosity about
moths on a summer night, then you can hang up a sheet outdoors, light it
with a strong flashlight, and see what comes.

The tone of the writing is exactly right. The structure of insects and
plants is clearly described, and processes like photosynthesis and
metamorphosis explained without condescension. Further, the fact that
some insects sting (as does stinging nettle, for that matter) and some
berries are poisonous is dealt with in a serious but not alarmist way.
One can avoid dangers by first identifying them, in the case of
poisonous berries; in the case of insect bites, one can apply a paste of
baking soda and water. But people, even curious children, can endanger
plant and insect life, so there is also good advice about putting things
back after looking at them.

The books are designed for children from 7 to 11, which seems about
right, although there is much in them that younger children will enjoy,
from planting a winter garden of sprouting potatoes or onions, to
planting seeds in pots or plots in the spring, and perhaps even looking
for insects—say, fleas on a patient domestic pet—indoors in the
winter.

The illustrations are attractive and on the whole as lucid and helpful
as the writing. There is one lapse: children expecting a slightly
iridescent green June beetle are going to be disappointed to find it
plain black, and some of the moths on the same page are not entirely
true to life. But altogether these two books are a feast of excellence
and fun. Highly recommended.