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Pocket Nature: Flower Finding: Delight in the Splendor of Wild Blooms
Find peace and stillness among the flowers with this lovely pocket guide to observing, identifying, and appreciating wild blooms.
Explore the charmed world of flora with this delightful flower book, part of the Pocket Nature series. Learn when and where to look for wildflowers, how to identify different varieties, and what flowers can teach us, from fireweed's resilience to dandelion's adaptability.
This petite guidebook also offers creative ideas for appreciating blooms, such as making botanical art, writing poetry, meditating in nature, and arranging a beautiful bouquet when picking is appropriate. Flower and nature lovers and mindfulness practitioners will appreciate the appealing illustrations and thoughtful reflections throughout.
Take Flower Finding on your next nature walk or create a thoughtful gift for a friend or loved one by pairing it with new garden clippers or a vase of pretty blooms.
EASY WAY TO SPEND MORE TIME More and more people are turning to the outdoors to escape and unwind. Searching for wildflowers is an enjoyable pastime that gets you outside, moves your body, and calms your mind. With mindful activities sprinkled throughout, Flower Finding is more than a flower identification guide; it is also an invitation to spend more time in nature and away from screens and tech.
GREAT GIFT Petite, gorgeously illustrated, and written in an inviting tone, this approachable guide makes a great gift or self-purchase for nature and flower lovers. And who doesn't love flowers? Package the book with hiking boots, garden clippers, a beautiful vase, or other books in the Pocket Nature series for a delightful anytime gift.
PERENNIAL & The topics covered in the Pocket Nature series are perennial—flowers, beaches, clouds, and sunsets will always be there to enjoy and admire. With new titles coming out every season, there will be ever-new opportunities to grow a charming collection that looks great on your bookshelf.
Perfect
Explore the charmed world of flora with this delightful flower book, part of the Pocket Nature series. Learn when and where to look for wildflowers, how to identify different varieties, and what flowers can teach us, from fireweed's resilience to dandelion's adaptability.
This petite guidebook also offers creative ideas for appreciating blooms, such as making botanical art, writing poetry, meditating in nature, and arranging a beautiful bouquet when picking is appropriate. Flower and nature lovers and mindfulness practitioners will appreciate the appealing illustrations and thoughtful reflections throughout.
Take Flower Finding on your next nature walk or create a thoughtful gift for a friend or loved one by pairing it with new garden clippers or a vase of pretty blooms.
EASY WAY TO SPEND MORE TIME More and more people are turning to the outdoors to escape and unwind. Searching for wildflowers is an enjoyable pastime that gets you outside, moves your body, and calms your mind. With mindful activities sprinkled throughout, Flower Finding is more than a flower identification guide; it is also an invitation to spend more time in nature and away from screens and tech.
GREAT GIFT Petite, gorgeously illustrated, and written in an inviting tone, this approachable guide makes a great gift or self-purchase for nature and flower lovers. And who doesn't love flowers? Package the book with hiking boots, garden clippers, a beautiful vase, or other books in the Pocket Nature series for a delightful anytime gift.
PERENNIAL & The topics covered in the Pocket Nature series are perennial—flowers, beaches, clouds, and sunsets will always be there to enjoy and admire. With new titles coming out every season, there will be ever-new opportunities to grow a charming collection that looks great on your bookshelf.
Perfect
- GenresNature
128 pages, Hardcover
Published March 26, 2024
3 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Debbink
23 books67 followersI'm a writer, editor, and habitual daydreamer. Before I became a full-time author, I spent nearly a decade as an editor at American Girl where I specialized in creating imaginative nonfiction content. Today I write books for children and adults. I believe that a good book can change a life—and the world.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 12, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.
If you enjoy flowers and nature, you will enjoy this book. Even if you are new to learning about flowers and want to educate self more, this is also a good book. I really enjoyed looking at the pretty flowers and learning about flowers I didn't know much about previously.
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If you enjoy flowers and nature, you will enjoy this book. Even if you are new to learning about flowers and want to educate self more, this is also a good book. I really enjoyed looking at the pretty flowers and learning about flowers I didn't know much about previously.
Connect with Me <3
My blog is https://bookreviewsbyjules.blogspot.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4... (follow me and/or send a friend request!)
Instagram/bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookreviews... (I follow back all Book accounts)
Substack: https://bookreviewsbyjules.substack.com/ (feel free to subscribe!)
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bookreviewsby...
StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile...
March 15, 2024
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Pocket Nature: Flower Finding is an accessible and attractive pocket guide to finding and identifying wildflowers by Andrea Debbink. Due out 26th March 2024 from Chronicle Books, it's 128 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.
This is a layman accessible and appealing book. It has a very retro vibe, with simple monochrome line drawn interior art (not as detailed as the cover art, which is gorgeous). It's a bit scattered and the information is not very formally organized. The author covers general botanical and simple ecological concepts like nomenclature, native vs. invasive species, identification tips, etc. There are several activity prompts scattered throughout which will help readers get outdoors, observe, and *learn* about the species in their areas.
Three and a half stars. It's *not*, strictly speaking, a field guide aimed at plant identification (although it does give some tips); it's mostly a general short guide to getting out in nature and finding and enjoying the wildflowers. There are also companion volumes in the series with the same format and graphic vibes on beekeeping, foraging, and more.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Pocket Nature: Flower Finding is an accessible and attractive pocket guide to finding and identifying wildflowers by Andrea Debbink. Due out 26th March 2024 from Chronicle Books, it's 128 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.
This is a layman accessible and appealing book. It has a very retro vibe, with simple monochrome line drawn interior art (not as detailed as the cover art, which is gorgeous). It's a bit scattered and the information is not very formally organized. The author covers general botanical and simple ecological concepts like nomenclature, native vs. invasive species, identification tips, etc. There are several activity prompts scattered throughout which will help readers get outdoors, observe, and *learn* about the species in their areas.
Three and a half stars. It's *not*, strictly speaking, a field guide aimed at plant identification (although it does give some tips); it's mostly a general short guide to getting out in nature and finding and enjoying the wildflowers. There are also companion volumes in the series with the same format and graphic vibes on beekeeping, foraging, and more.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
March 12, 2024
“The prairie thrummed with energy, thick with humming bees and trilling birds. The growing season had reached a crescendo, each plant and creature playing at full volume in the summer symphony.”
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher! This is a non-fiction book about how to identify flowers in the wild, written by a Master Naturalist. It had lots of great information, and as someone who collects books about gardening, flora identification, and field guides, I can say this book genuinely had lots of information that I did not already know and found really interesting.
A room for improvement would be the illustrations. Using color block style illustrations, rather than photographs or even a more detailed illustration in keeping with the book cover, isn’t very helpful in a book about memorizing plant identification. It makes it more of a cute gift book, rather than an actual pocket field guide.
Overall, it would be a cute book on a bookshelf for someone who loves collecting books about nature.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher! This is a non-fiction book about how to identify flowers in the wild, written by a Master Naturalist. It had lots of great information, and as someone who collects books about gardening, flora identification, and field guides, I can say this book genuinely had lots of information that I did not already know and found really interesting.
A room for improvement would be the illustrations. Using color block style illustrations, rather than photographs or even a more detailed illustration in keeping with the book cover, isn’t very helpful in a book about memorizing plant identification. It makes it more of a cute gift book, rather than an actual pocket field guide.
Overall, it would be a cute book on a bookshelf for someone who loves collecting books about nature.
March 15, 2024
The book contains a little bit of everything--plant anatomy, ecology, ethnobotany, It's written on the layperson level, which will make it popular. Though it is by no means a comprehensive guide to wildflowers (only some examples are used), it might be a fun gift for a young person or maybe someone who's just starting to learn about the outdoors.
The beautiful cover of this little book promised lots of colorful drawings. When I first looked inside and saw the single color artwork, I was disappointed. But, as I browsed the book, it grew on me (no pun intended!) It allowed for adequate demonstration of details and will undoubtedly keep the price reasonable. That said, it would truly be stunning if it could be done in full color throughout.
As a retired Biology/Botany/Horticulture professor, I found most of the book to be well done and accurate. But...there is a significant error in the "naming" chapter that continues to be perpetuated by many who are attempting to keep scientific details from discouraging the lay reader. The "species" is BOTH names (genus + specific epithet). When we speak of a species, for instance, we don't just say that the sunflower species is "giganteus." There are lots of organisms that have "giganteus" as the specific epithet, so that's not enough to tell us what we're looking at. However, Helianthus giganteus describes a particular species of plant that is unlike any other with the "giganteus" specific epithet. Sorry to be picky, but this error is really something that should not be perpetuated for the sake of simplicity.
The beautiful cover of this little book promised lots of colorful drawings. When I first looked inside and saw the single color artwork, I was disappointed. But, as I browsed the book, it grew on me (no pun intended!) It allowed for adequate demonstration of details and will undoubtedly keep the price reasonable. That said, it would truly be stunning if it could be done in full color throughout.
As a retired Biology/Botany/Horticulture professor, I found most of the book to be well done and accurate. But...there is a significant error in the "naming" chapter that continues to be perpetuated by many who are attempting to keep scientific details from discouraging the lay reader. The "species" is BOTH names (genus + specific epithet). When we speak of a species, for instance, we don't just say that the sunflower species is "giganteus." There are lots of organisms that have "giganteus" as the specific epithet, so that's not enough to tell us what we're looking at. However, Helianthus giganteus describes a particular species of plant that is unlike any other with the "giganteus" specific epithet. Sorry to be picky, but this error is really something that should not be perpetuated for the sake of simplicity.
March 23, 2024
"A weed is but an unloved flower!" - Ella Wheeler Wilcox
This book kicks off with this quote and set the tone in just the right way. This is a vibrant, energetic little pocket book that fairly bursts with excitement about wildflowers, ALL wildflowers, here and there and all around us. (I do wish it had been titled "Wildflower Finding" - it would be a more accurate and therefore more compelling title, in my opinion.)
The book helpfully shows you how to identify flower shapes, petals, leaf shapes, leaf types, and more. It talks about when and where you might be most likely to find wildflowers. I especially love that the author lists roadsides as a good place to spot wildflowers. Often overlooked, this is indeed a humble location that is often blooming over (see what I did there?) with wildflowers that almost nobody ever notices or appreciates.
The only thing that kept this from being five stars was the decision to stylize all the flower illustrations in just two colors. While this certainly makes the book more visually coherent when you pick it up and flip through it idly at the bookstore, it also makes it much more difficult to use as an actual reference book. I do disagree with the previous reviewer who wanted photos instead of illustrations - I actually find that illustrations are often preferable for reference books, since the illustrator can focus on the elements that really help with identification. But to do them in just two or three colors is such a "form-over-function" decision in a book that is ostensibly for carrying with you and using in the real world, when seeing a wildflower, is such a misstep that it's hard for me to understand. If they had just used accurate coloring in the illustrations, this book would get a big 5 stars from me and I would be purchasing it for future use on my own walks and hikes.
Bonus points for including a short list of artists who have created particularly lovely renderings of wildflowers, so you can get inspired by their work if you decide to do your own art of the wildflowers you find (which the author highly encourages, as do I!). And even the names of a few poems about flowers, which I don't think I have ever seen in any reference book about flowers of any kind.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this eARC for unbiased review.
This book kicks off with this quote and set the tone in just the right way. This is a vibrant, energetic little pocket book that fairly bursts with excitement about wildflowers, ALL wildflowers, here and there and all around us. (I do wish it had been titled "Wildflower Finding" - it would be a more accurate and therefore more compelling title, in my opinion.)
The book helpfully shows you how to identify flower shapes, petals, leaf shapes, leaf types, and more. It talks about when and where you might be most likely to find wildflowers. I especially love that the author lists roadsides as a good place to spot wildflowers. Often overlooked, this is indeed a humble location that is often blooming over (see what I did there?) with wildflowers that almost nobody ever notices or appreciates.
The only thing that kept this from being five stars was the decision to stylize all the flower illustrations in just two colors. While this certainly makes the book more visually coherent when you pick it up and flip through it idly at the bookstore, it also makes it much more difficult to use as an actual reference book. I do disagree with the previous reviewer who wanted photos instead of illustrations - I actually find that illustrations are often preferable for reference books, since the illustrator can focus on the elements that really help with identification. But to do them in just two or three colors is such a "form-over-function" decision in a book that is ostensibly for carrying with you and using in the real world, when seeing a wildflower, is such a misstep that it's hard for me to understand. If they had just used accurate coloring in the illustrations, this book would get a big 5 stars from me and I would be purchasing it for future use on my own walks and hikes.
Bonus points for including a short list of artists who have created particularly lovely renderings of wildflowers, so you can get inspired by their work if you decide to do your own art of the wildflowers you find (which the author highly encourages, as do I!). And even the names of a few poems about flowers, which I don't think I have ever seen in any reference book about flowers of any kind.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this eARC for unbiased review.
March 10, 2024
“I must have flowers, always, and always.” - Claude Monet
As someone who wants to learn more about the flower species around me and understand the best approach to growing my own cut flowers, this Pocket Nature was the perfect guide to help me with tips and tricks to appropriately identify flowers.
The guide was incredibly artful , intentional and I loved the light, anecdotal approach that helped apply real life identifiers to scientific information.
I also learned a TON of new wildflower species (the whimsical names were my favorite — sneezeweed and fairy hat?!) and I really enjoyed the illustrations.
This guide encompassed everything that I would want in an educational and informative book. The mindfulness practices were thoughtful, identifying specific destinations encouraged me to research them for potential trips, “what flowers can teach us” gave me a lot of pause for inspiration, and I now know what to look for this blooming season in the Northeast that I might not have been able to identify before.
PS: I would hang these illustrations on my wall, especially the one on the last page 😍
As someone who wants to learn more about the flower species around me and understand the best approach to growing my own cut flowers, this Pocket Nature was the perfect guide to help me with tips and tricks to appropriately identify flowers.
The guide was incredibly artful , intentional and I loved the light, anecdotal approach that helped apply real life identifiers to scientific information.
I also learned a TON of new wildflower species (the whimsical names were my favorite — sneezeweed and fairy hat?!) and I really enjoyed the illustrations.
This guide encompassed everything that I would want in an educational and informative book. The mindfulness practices were thoughtful, identifying specific destinations encouraged me to research them for potential trips, “what flowers can teach us” gave me a lot of pause for inspiration, and I now know what to look for this blooming season in the Northeast that I might not have been able to identify before.
PS: I would hang these illustrations on my wall, especially the one on the last page 😍
March 16, 2024
Provided an advanced copy in return for an honest review.
The book was a good introduction how to identify plants and how wildflowers influence culture and personal lives. The cultural aspect of this book is very interesting and I found the “how to enjoy your walk” section to be soothing. I was also interested in was the USA regional guide. A shallow dip but the entire book is a shallow dip. As such, anyone who already has been identifying wildflowers or plants will not find new information. I found the individual flower identification to be fairly useless as the colors were not accurate sometimes. Color isn’t the main tell tale sign of a plant but it does help to not have the wrong image in your mind. I wish the author had gone full culture or full identification because I think the information was too simple to be used in the field. In all, maybe this book is for people who have not tried to identify plants and want to have an introduction, but I would also give them a state plant identification guide as well as this book.
The book was a good introduction how to identify plants and how wildflowers influence culture and personal lives. The cultural aspect of this book is very interesting and I found the “how to enjoy your walk” section to be soothing. I was also interested in was the USA regional guide. A shallow dip but the entire book is a shallow dip. As such, anyone who already has been identifying wildflowers or plants will not find new information. I found the individual flower identification to be fairly useless as the colors were not accurate sometimes. Color isn’t the main tell tale sign of a plant but it does help to not have the wrong image in your mind. I wish the author had gone full culture or full identification because I think the information was too simple to be used in the field. In all, maybe this book is for people who have not tried to identify plants and want to have an introduction, but I would also give them a state plant identification guide as well as this book.
March 24, 2024
Anyone who regularly walks in nature may come across wild flowers. They certainly can be enjoyed just as is in the moment. However, sometimes or some people may want to know more about what they are seeing. For those walkers and times, this book may be welcomed.
Sections include Meeting the Wildflowers; When, Where, and How to Find Wildflowers; What to Do with Wildflowers; and, What Flowers Can Teach Us. For identifying flowers, the book is divided into U.S. geographic regions which is helpful.
The author knows her wildflowers and shares a lot of information. The book has illustrations of the flowers but no photos and I am not sure if the colors are always correct; there are a lot of pinks here. For some, a color photo may be most helpful while for others this book could feel just right.
I loved the reminder to be an observer of nature. For me, that is especially true at this time of year.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Chroicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Sections include Meeting the Wildflowers; When, Where, and How to Find Wildflowers; What to Do with Wildflowers; and, What Flowers Can Teach Us. For identifying flowers, the book is divided into U.S. geographic regions which is helpful.
The author knows her wildflowers and shares a lot of information. The book has illustrations of the flowers but no photos and I am not sure if the colors are always correct; there are a lot of pinks here. For some, a color photo may be most helpful while for others this book could feel just right.
I loved the reminder to be an observer of nature. For me, that is especially true at this time of year.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Chroicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
March 11, 2024
Thank you Chronicle Books and Netgalley for an advanced readers copy of this book.
This is the first year I am attempting a cut flower garden with wildflowers and I already know this is going to be a fabulous resource!
This is a beautifully written, informational and whimsical guide to flower finding that any aspiring gardener or well versed gardener would love to have in their collection.
I really loved the illustrations in the pocket guide and how each flower had the name, appearance, location, habitat and blooming season. As someone who is truly trying to just start and locate wildflowers, this is a true gem.
This is the first year I am attempting a cut flower garden with wildflowers and I already know this is going to be a fabulous resource!
This is a beautifully written, informational and whimsical guide to flower finding that any aspiring gardener or well versed gardener would love to have in their collection.
I really loved the illustrations in the pocket guide and how each flower had the name, appearance, location, habitat and blooming season. As someone who is truly trying to just start and locate wildflowers, this is a true gem.
March 21, 2024
This is a sweet and informative little book for those who don’t know much about wildflowers. It is illustrated with black, white and hot pink. Sections tell about Latin name meanings, a few species to look for in each region of the United States, basic ideas of what to do with flowers (mostly look at them and photograph them) and so on.
This is not an identification book and it’s also very brief. It’s a nice book to get you excited about looking for wildflowers but those who are already educated on the subject may find it lacking.
I read a temporary digital copy of this book for review.
This is not an identification book and it’s also very brief. It’s a nice book to get you excited about looking for wildflowers but those who are already educated on the subject may find it lacking.
I read a temporary digital copy of this book for review.
March 19, 2024
Beautiful pocket book! If you live flowers and want to get general knowledge about them outside of perfectly arranged bouquets and florist (flowers and their wild side) then you’d relent enjoy this book. The cover is striking and so joy-filled — I wish that feeling carried on my other the inner page illustrations.
The good thing about this book is that you get a bit of everything when it comes to wild flowers (how, when, where, and everything in between). The not so great thing is that you do get a bit of everything and it can feel a little trivial in the end.
Altogether a fun one sitting-read type of book, perfect for a coffee table and for gifting.
The good thing about this book is that you get a bit of everything when it comes to wild flowers (how, when, where, and everything in between). The not so great thing is that you do get a bit of everything and it can feel a little trivial in the end.
Altogether a fun one sitting-read type of book, perfect for a coffee table and for gifting.
March 20, 2024
Book provided by Netgalley in exchange for a review.
I liked this book, and felt like it was a good jumping off point for those who, (like me), don't know a ton about plants. I liked the included quotes, and the idea of looking for wildflowers as a meditative activity.
I also liked that it was specific about what regions what flowers are in, instead of just listing some that could grow anywhere.
I didn't love the colors of the illustrations, but that's a me thing.
I liked this book, and felt like it was a good jumping off point for those who, (like me), don't know a ton about plants. I liked the included quotes, and the idea of looking for wildflowers as a meditative activity.
I also liked that it was specific about what regions what flowers are in, instead of just listing some that could grow anywhere.
I didn't love the colors of the illustrations, but that's a me thing.
March 26, 2024
Pocket Nature: Flower Finding is a wildflower lover’s type of book. There are drawings and information on many common and not so common wildflowers. Andrea Debbink also gives the readers ideas on what to do while exploring the wildflower world.
I’m sure experts know much of this information already but for a novice like myself this is an interesting valuable tool. I especially liked the sections on what flowers can teach us and what to do with flowers.
I’m sure experts know much of this information already but for a novice like myself this is an interesting valuable tool. I especially liked the sections on what flowers can teach us and what to do with flowers.
March 26, 2024
I loved this pocket nature book on Flower Finding. I adore flowers and the illustrations in this and information truly brought my love of flowers to life. I will be purchasing a physical copy for my adventures when it releases on March 26th 2024.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
All opinions are my own.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
All opinions are my own.
June 15, 2024
This little pocket book was a joy to read. It walks through wildflowers, from latin names to common names, to when they bloom in different parts of the US. Accompanying the text are gorgeous sketches on each page. Loved it!
August 26, 2024
As someone who is very new to the subject of wildflowers, this book was perfect for me! It was easily digestible and packed with information -- and the art was absolutely beautiful.
May 31, 2025
I received this DRC from NetGalley.
3.5 stars. There was some good general info about flowers/plants and words that you could use to describe them. Info about which ones are edible is included. Different regions of the US get their own page with a few specific flowers and places to see them. I think where it falls a bit short is in listing the specific flowers. The art is cute, but when you're talking about identification, there should be more accurate depictions for comparison- or at least something to make the size of the plants clear. I just think if you're taking a pocket guide with you to help identify flowers, it would be more helpful to have one that focuses on listing more flowers and their specifics. The other stuff, you should just read beforehand.
3.5 stars. There was some good general info about flowers/plants and words that you could use to describe them. Info about which ones are edible is included. Different regions of the US get their own page with a few specific flowers and places to see them. I think where it falls a bit short is in listing the specific flowers. The art is cute, but when you're talking about identification, there should be more accurate depictions for comparison- or at least something to make the size of the plants clear. I just think if you're taking a pocket guide with you to help identify flowers, it would be more helpful to have one that focuses on listing more flowers and their specifics. The other stuff, you should just read beforehand.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews