An Invitation to the Botanical Gardens: Come Along!

 

In a past CYBILS AWARDS cycle I discovered an impressive nonfiction picture book written with the premise of a museum tour to reveal oddities within the human body, vestiges of once-important parts: THE MUSEUM OF ODD BODY LEFTOVERS: A Tour of Your Useless Parts, Flaws, and Other Weird Bits, Written by Rachel Poliquin and illustrated by Clayton Hammer. If you missed it, learn more about it HERE.) I found it to be an ideal blend of information, humor, discovery, and an irresistible invitation to learn even more. This treatment came to mind when I received a copy of a CYBILS nonfiction nominee for the current season. The tour approach is especially well suited for this VIP access visit, and the tone is both serious and appealing.

Get in line for this magnificent and memorable virtual tour.

Welbeck Books, 2024

Consider that  as your INVITATION TO THE BOTANICAL GARDENS, written by Charlotte Gullain and illustrated by Helen Shoesmith.

I was delighted with the excellence of this nonfiction approach to the function and contents of a botanical garden. The particular site used to illustrate the many aspects and appeals of a complex botanical garden is a place I'd like to visit... again and again. Just as I will revisit this book often.

The material within its many pages (and multiple fold-out expansions) can reach audiences of various ages. The detailed and colorful illustrations will absorb the attention of even quite young lap-readers, while the labels for each area and element are readable for slightly older ones, and are likely to spark conversations. The smallest text for each and every labeled component elaborates on the science and systems at work to make these distinct aspects  of a botanical garden contribute to the success of the whole. These details are specific and intriguing, making a fantastic approach in  developing content area information for older readers and adults alike! 
Careers can be found and pursued through using this book- from scientist to archivist to photographer to field worker to educator/docent to gift shop manager and more.
This is a book worth spending time on, and worth gifting to many potential readers.