NonFiction Monday: Seeds! Seeds! Seeds!

I never realized that studying seeds could be so fascinating—until now!  I am learning and reviewing a lot about this fascinating subject.   Here are the Top Five Seed Books:

Seeds! Seeds! Seeds!  (ages 3-7) by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace 

One March morning, Buddy (a bunny) receives a package from his grandfather.  There are five sealed bags inside with instructions to open one each day.  The activities teach Buddy to sort and label seeds, to identify the stages of plant growth from a seed, to create a bird feeder, to make a picture frame with seed decorations, and to grow a plant from a seed.  Author Nancy Elizabeth Wallace always does an outstanding job explaining scientific information in a manner that is engaging and understandable to young children.  Buddy’s daily activities are sure to inspire parents and teachers to create their own fun seed exploration ideas.  Teaching Opportunities:  Seeds, Sorting, Art, Plant Growth

Oh Say Can You Seed?  (ages 3-8) by Bonnie Worth  

Using characters and rhyming text made popular by Dr. Seuss, children learn all about seeds and plants.   The Cat in the Hat, Thing 1, and Thing 2 teach two children (a boy and a girl) about the parts of a seed, or baby plant.  Next, they watch as a seed begins to grow into a plant.   Next, the parts of a full grown plant are identified and labeled along with types of roots and their purpose.  The amusing trio even covers photosynthesis and pollination in an easy, comprehendible manner.  The playful rhyming text is ideal for young listeners and early readers.  Teaching Opportunities:  Rhyme, Seeds, Plant Growth, Plant Parts, Pollination, Photosynthesis

Flip, Float, Fly: Seeds on the Move (ages 3-9) by JoAnn Early Macken  

Flip, Float, Fly:  Seeds on the Move illustrates various types of seeds using beautiful pictures and fun language.  The text and illustrations reveal how seeds move so they may sprout and flourish in new locations.  The importance of animals, insects, water, and weather in seed travel and growth is impressed upon the reader.  Using energetic words and onomatopoeia, the life of a seed comes across as exciting and invigorating.  For instance, we learn:  “The seed straightens out when it rains.  WIGGLE!  Jump! One way, then another.  It works its way into the ground.” All those action verbs are perfect for learning about verbs or may inspire your youngsters to act out the transformation of the seed.  Teaching Opportunities:  Seeds, Onomatopoeia, Verbs, Alliteration

A Seed is Sleepy (ages 6 and up) by Dianna Hutts Aston 

This selection uses a unique format to teach about seeds.  Each two-page spread is a different characteristic about seeds—secretive, adventurous, fruitful, inventive, and so forth.   In short paragraphs, readers learn how seeds fulfill the descriptive words.   Many less commonly known ones are illustrated in vibrant colors, such as the papaya, Texas Mountain Laurel, swamp palm, Japanese maple, and milkweed.   In addition, there are growth charts for several different seeds.  Teaching Opportunities:  Seeds, Adjectives, Plant Growth

Seeds (ages 6 and up) by Ken Robbins  

Fruit, plant, tree, flower, and weed seeds are all highlighted in this book with stunning photography of vibrant plants.   I learned about some items I did not realize were seeds such as sticktights, coconuts, and wheat.  The short, tidbits of text reveal how seeds move and grow.  From the mysterious lotus flower to the common oak tree, readers will learn about the diversity and movement of seeds.  Teaching Opportunities:  Seeds, Plant Growth

Honorable Mention
Plant Fruits & Seeds (ages 3-8) by David M. Schwartz
Using visual and written clues, readers guess seed types and learn additional facts about them.  Plant Fruits & Seeds is fun and interactive.

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