NCW Libraries

Imagine a career where you get paid to draw all day. That's what botanical illustrators do! Get inside the mind of a botanical illustrator, and learn how their intricate drawings of plants help science. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this Smithsonian Informational Text builds students' reading skills while engaging their curiosity about STEAM topics through real-world examples. It features a hands-on STEAM challenge that...

An informative, yet beautiful, introduction to seeds.

The flower is the part of a plant that makes seeds or fruit. Readers will identify the main parts of a flower and learn about the process of pollination. Simple text and supportive photos and diagrams help students comprehend this important science concept.

Have you ever eaten broccoli or cauliflower? Then you've eaten a flower! Some flowers are good for eating. They are also an important part of a plant. Find out how flowers help plants grow and learn about some of the flowers we eat.

Seeds are for planting. Seeds are for eating, too. If you've ever eaten beans or corn, you've eaten seeds. Find out about different kinds of seeds and learn about some of the seeds we eat.

Different kinds of plants have different kinds of stems. Daisies have thin stems, while redwood trees have thick, woody stems. What do these stems do? Readers discover the answer with the help of clear, age-appropriate text that supports common science curriculum topics. Colorful diagrams enhance the main text, helping young readers visualize the concepts they are reading about. Detailed photographs of a variety of plants and their stems provide an...

Why do plants have flowers? Readers will discover how flowers can develop into fruits, vegetables, or seeds for producing more plants.

Carrots are a great snack, even though they're a plant root. These bright root vegetables grow underground for months before they become the sweet, crunchy veggie we put on salads and dip in hummus. Young readers follow along as carrot seeds are planted in soil, watered, and exposed to the sun, and as they grow into orange, yellow, purple, and white veggies. Age-appropriate detail and vocabulary guide readers just beginning to read independently....

Why do plants have flowers? Readers discover the answer to this question, as they learn fascinating, facts about flowers and why they are, an important part of a plant. Essential information that supports common science curriculum topics is, presented in an accessible way for young readers. This includes the use of simple, colorful diagrams to help young learners understand the purpose of a plant's flowers. Vibrant photographs fill each page, allowing...

What are seeds? Young readers will observe how seeds turn into plants and how seeds are distributed to different places.