The Big Book of Blooms by Yuval Zommer

Beth's Review:

This is such a cool book for teaching kids about blooms! Informed by the knowledge of botanical experts at Kew Gardens, this book is so beautifully illustrated. Each double-page spread focuses on a different flower or flower-related topic, and is sprinkled with just a few digestible facts to make it simple and easy to read.

Topics start out broad eg. flower anatomy, flower families, pollinators, and then delve deeper into more specific flower types - roses, proteas, cherry blossoms, water lilies, pitcher plants, etc, ending with education about seed dispersal, deadly flowers, and the importance of saving and growing flowers.

What’s different about this book from other educational children’s book is the uniqueness and playfulness of the facts – a lot of the information I was reading was a bit quirky, things you don’t normally hear about, which is sure to keep the kids (or adults) engaged. And to make certain that attention doesn’t wander, there’s even a little Where’s Wally-esque game of “finding the golden bulb” hidden throughout. 

Publisher's Blurb:

What does a venus fly trap eat? How strong is a giant water lily? Does a cactus flower?

The newest addition to Yuval Zommer's bestselling series answers these questions and more as it introduces young children to all kinds of colourful, carnivorous, weird and wonderful flowering plants from around the world.

It opens with introductory spreads on how to be a botanist; how to recognise different types of flowers; the life-cycle of a plant; flower anatomy; and the seven types of animal pollinators including bats, birds and beetles.

Subsequent spreads, illustrated within various habitats, are dedicated to specific varieties of plants, including the carnivorous venus flytrap, the giant water lily and the weird and wonderful corpse flower.

Readers will enjoy learning about different edible flowers and why flowers are fragrant or colourful, not to mention grisly details about carnivorous and poisonous flowers.