Rating: Recommended
Greenwillow Books, 2009, $16.99
ISBN: 9780061771989
Age/Grade Level: Ages 3-7
Perfect for Toddler Storytime, Falwell's simple rhymes accompany colorwheel brightness, while imparting a soft, earthy tone essence of nature as Mom, brother, sister, and even the family dog plant lots of seeds, watch them grow and pull the weeds. Do employ dialogic reading and have your kids point out the intricacies Falwell places on each page, from the tiny red ladybug crawling across the growing mystery vine to the small yellow butterfly accenting the sky above. In cumulative style, Falwell presents the seasons cycles while simultaneously offering a simple lesson in fruits and vegetables (and no, they don't all come from the grocery store!). As a special bonus, Falwell includes recipes, gardening fun with simple, easy-to-follow instructions, and while this reviewer is no fool and not about to give away the identity of the mystery vine, let's just say that it rhymes with bumpkin. You are absolutely never going to guess!
Reviewer: Marie L. Twombly, OCPL/Aliso Viejo
