At Growing with Science blog last week I wrote about a saguaro cactus flowering in September (they usually flower in June). This week I found a lovely picture book that celebrates them, The Night Flower by Lara Hawthorne.
Lara Hawthorne is an illustrator, so it is no surprise this book is an incredible visual treat. The first thing you notice is the stunning cover with a bold white saguaro flower standing out against the black background of night. The image above doesn’t do it justice because because many of the details are outlined with a metallic shiny gold. It has a luminescent 3-D effect.
Inside, the book starts with an informational paragraph about the saguaro cactus. From there gentle rhyming text takes the reader on a journey through one day and night in the desert. Along the way readers meet many different animals and learn about the role the saguaro plays in their lives.
You won’t want to skip the fully-illustrated back matter. Hawthorne describes the life cycle of the saguaro and names the parts of the plant. Next she asks “Did you spot…?” In a two page spread she shows the different creatures mentioned in the text, giving more information about each and challenging the reader to go back through the book to find them. She ends with a glossary of the scientific terms she used.
The Night Flower is a picture-perfect introduction to a unique plant and its habitat. It can be used to accompany a unit on deserts or plants, or to prepare for a trip to Arizona. Poke around in a copy today!
Be sure to check Growing with Science blog for more information and suggestions for related activities.
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