The most recommended flora books

Who picked these books? Meet our 31 experts.

31 authors created a book list connected to flora, and here are their favorite flora books.
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Book cover of Good Zap, Little Grog!

Aaron Zenz Author Of The Hiccupotamus

From my list on nonsense in childrenā€™s books.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am the Illustrator of 45 books for kids, 9 of which I authored as well. I have always been attracted to joyful nonsense. I am drawn to books and writings that turn norms on their heads. From the time I was super young, my favorite poem has been Lewis Carrollā€™s ā€œJabberwockyā€ with its delightful slithy toves gyring and gimbling in the wabe. In fact, of the books Iā€™ve written to date, every one has had some kind of nonsensical element to it.

Aaron's book list on nonsense in childrenā€™s books

Aaron Zenz Why did Aaron love this book?

A little cave boy from another world hops through his day while encountering bizarre-looking flora and fauna with equally funny names. He is greeted in the morning, afternoon, and night with a friendly ā€œZoodle Oopā€ ā€œYoop Doozā€ and ā€œGood Zap.ā€ The pages blend a perfect mixture of alien and familiar. Give the book a whirl and youā€™ll be enjoying gems like these: ā€œThe ooglets are tuzzlingā€¦ā€ ā€œā€¦all the blue zamblots are covered in flumms,ā€ ā€œA tiny paroobie is churling ā€˜Zlink-zlink!ā€™ā€

By Sarah Wilson, Susan Meddaugh (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Good Zap, Little Grog! as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

Nonsense verse which recounts a day in the life of Little Grog and the creatures who live in his prehistoric world.


Book cover of The Poison Diaries

L.M. Jorden Author Of Belladonna

From my list on mysteries with poison plants to please a gardener.

Why am I passionate about this?

As the author of the Dr. Josephine Plantae Paradoxes, a historical mystery series based on my grandmother, an early trailblazing woman doctor, I stay true to the facts. I remember entering her apothecary filled with strange bottles of little homeopathic white pills, giant stills, and finding poisonous plants in her atrium. In my novels, Dr. Josephine Reva fights for womanā€™s equality and practices a mix of botanical and modern medicine, and moonlights as a sleuth to solve paradoxical ā€˜poison cureā€™ crimes. An award-winning journalist, author, and former professor with an MS from Columbia University, I studied botany. I currently live between France and New England with my family, furry friends, and lots of plants.

L.M.'s book list on mysteries with poison plants to please a gardener

L.M. Jorden Why did L.M. love this book?

This is an illustrated novel that originated with an actual poison garden created by the Duchess of Northumberland at her estate in northern England.

This garden at Alnwick Castle is full of poisonous plants and served as the setting for scenes in several Harry Potter movies.

The Poison Diaries unfolds like a fable, about a teenage girl, Jessamine, daughter of a poison plant botanist, who must tend to the poison plants by herself. That is, until a boy named Weed appears.

The novel vividly describes the germination of Atropa Belladonna, with its deadly black berries. This beautifully illustrated book about a poison plant gardener is truly enchanting.

By Maryrose Wood, The Duchess of Northumberland,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Poison Diaries as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

A dark, gothic tale of romance... and murder.

In the right dose, everything is a poison.

Jessamine has spent her whole life in a cottage close to her father's apothecary garden, surrounded by medicinal plants and herbs that could kill her - although her father has never allowed her into the most dangerous part of the grounds... the poison garden. And so she's never had reason to be afraid - until now. Because now a newcomer has come to live with the family, a quiet but strangely attractive orphan boy named Weed.

Though Weed doesn't say much in words, heā€¦


Book cover of From Seed to Plant

Kate Coombs Author Of Little Naturalists: The Adventures of John Muir

From my list on childrenā€™s books about gardening.

Why am I passionate about this?

I love nature and feature it in many of my books, including a poetry collection about the ocean and a board book series about famous naturalists. As a gardener, I have trouble with outside plants thanks to the deer that live in the canyon out back. However, I have 50 houseplants and an herb garden in pots on the balcony. Our house is surrounded by trees, and one of my favorite places in the world is Sequoia National Park, with its green meadows and giant sequoia trees. We spent several summers there when I was a child.

Kate's book list on childrenā€™s books about gardening

Kate Coombs Why did Kate love this book?

This author is well known for her nonfiction picture books that clearly explain science topics, in this case, the growth of plants. Step by step, Gibbons walks young readers through pollination, the growth of seeds, and how seeds are distributed, such as by squirrels and birds. Then she goes on to talk about how plants grow. The whole process is reader-friendly, and the illustrations are clean and attractive. A great introduction for kindergarten through third graders.

By Gail Gibbons,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked From Seed to Plant as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Flowers, trees, fruitsā€”plants are all around us, but where do they come from?
 
With simple language and bright illustrations, non-fiction master Gail Gibbons introduces young readers to the processes of pollination, seed formation, and germination.  Important vocabulary is reinforced with accessible explanation and colorful, clear diagrams showing the parts of plants, the wide variety of seeds, and how they grow. 
 
The book includes instructions for a seed-growing project, and a page of interesting facts about plants, seeds, and flowers.   A nonfiction classic, and a perfect companion for early science lessons and curious young gardeners.
 
According to The Washington Post, Gailā€¦


Book cover of Botanicum: Welcome to the Museum

Jessica Roux Author Of Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers

From my list on illustrated florals.

Why am I passionate about this?

Iā€™ve always been fascinated by nature, even from a young age. My parents would set up easels for my sister and me to paint outdoors, and I havenā€™t stopped drawing since. I tend to focus on flora and fauna, making illustrations with subdued colors and intricate details. I love to create illustrations for books, and occasionally, Iā€™ll write them, too. Often reflective of history, mythology, and folklore, my work captures an old-world feeling and a love of nature. In my spare time, you can find me in my garden or out walking my dog, Molly.

Jessica's book list on illustrated florals

Jessica Roux Why did Jessica love this book?

If you want a big book of florals, look no further than Botanicum. Everything from algae to orchids is covered in this illustrated encyclopedia, featuring Katie Scottā€™s artwork paired with Professor Kathy Willisā€™ writing. Iā€™m drawn to the fine lines in Scottā€™s work, with her illustrations of parasitic and carnivorous plants being my absolute favorite pages. Fascinating for both children and adults, Iā€™d highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys getting lost in the details of fantastic florals.

By Kathy Willis, Katie Scott (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Botanicum as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

The 2016 offering from Big Picture Press's Welcome to the Museum series, Botanicum is a stunningly curated guide to plant life. With artwork from Katie Scott of Animalium fame, Botanicum gives readers the experience of a fascinating exhibition from the pages of a beautiful book.

From perennials to bulbs to tropical exotica, Botanicum is a wonderful feast of botanical knowledge complete with superb cross sections of how plants work.


Book cover of Grow: A Family Guide to Plants and How to Grow Them

Mary-Kate Mackey Author Of The Healthy Garden: Simple Steps for a Greener World

From my list on garden books to save the planet.

Why am I passionate about this?

Iā€™m a person who thinks gardening could be one of the most important endeavors anyone can do. Iā€™m a writer, a speaker, and the recipient of eight Garden Communicators International media awards, including a Gold in 2021 for my column, ā€œRooting for You,ā€ on the Hartley-Botanic Greenhouse website. My byline has appeared in numerous magazines such as Fine Gardening, Horticulture, Sunset, and This Old House. Iā€™m always interested in great ideas for problem-solving in the garden.

Mary-Kate's book list on garden books to save the planet

Mary-Kate Mackey Why did Mary-Kate love this book?

If you want to save the natural world, you have to love it first. And to love it, you have to know it. This gorgeously illustrated picture book is an important introduction. Grow encourages readers to be friends with fifteen common plantsā€”from mint to orchids. Once recognized, and by learning a fascinating bit about them, these plants are no longer strangers, but companions. And thatā€™s the beginning of love. The delightful drawings and fabulous plant factoids call for a read-aloud to younger children, or simply hand the book over to those already reading. This is an act of legacyā€”we need to bring along that next generation of passionate gardeners who will value our planet.

By Riz Reyes, Sara Boccaccini Meadows (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Grow as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

Discover facts about 15 plants, explore what makes them unique, and learn how to grow them

Grow beauty. Grow friendship. Grow flavor. Grow plants!

Discover 15 plants with incredible powers, then learn how to grow them. Meet each plantā€™s surprising relations (did you know the tasty tomato is a cousin of deadly nightshade?) and discover their history (bromeliads defended themselves against dinosaurs!). Then, follow the step-by-step instructions to grow and care for each plant, whether you have a big backyard or a sunny windowsill.

This fully illustrated guide to growing is the perfect introduction to plants for families everywhere.


Book cover of Good Zap, Little Grog!
Book cover of The Poison Diaries
Book cover of From Seed to Plant

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