"One Bean", "The Life Cycle of a Sunflower" and "A Dandelion's Life"

Spring brings gardening and these books lead into that.

One Bean
5 stars
Author: Anne Rockwell
Illustrator: Megan Halsey

This is the story of a science or gardening project. The two children plant a bean and watch it grow. The text is easily followed for readers to do the same.
The illustrations look like paper dolls. They look simple, but are very appropriate for the book.

The Life Cycle of a Sunflower
4 stars
Author: Philip Parker
Illustrator: Jackie Harland

The story of the sunflower is well done. Each page has a good explanation about what is happening to the sunflower or its seed at that time. The difficulty is with the experiment at the end. A sunflower will not grow well in a flower pot, at least not the kind the story is about.
The illustrations are well done. They show many of the traits of a sunflower and the bugs that visit the flower heads.

A Dandelion's Life
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: John Himmelman

Dandelions are considered weeds. In truth, they were deliberately brought here from Europe as a food plant. The plants make an interesting study.
The text is short and geared for younger readers although it does introduce several creatures and concepts probably new to them. The plant in the text is unusual as it has only one flower head.
The illustrations are up close, an ant's eye view of the plant as it grows, flowers and send off seeds. The many creatures shown are not identified, but could be used to encourage a child to find out more.