PLANTS DO AMAZNG THGS

Step-Up Books

by Hedda Nussbaum

Describes a variety of plants with unusual characteristics including those that give off light and those that eat insects.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction

69 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Hedda Nussbaum is an American woman who was caretaker for a six-year-old girl who died of physical abuse in 1987. The death of the girl, Lisa Steinberg, sparked a controversial trial and media frenzy.
Nussbaum argued her case in her 2005 memoir Surviving Intimate Terrorism. Prior to the trial, she was also the author of a couple of educational children's books.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't put my hands on our old copy of this book, so I can't re-read it to deliver a detailed review, but Plants Do Amazing Things came up in conversation with my grown children the other day -- and I thought I'd come back here and give the book and its author and illustrator some delayed praise. It's quite an achievement to produce a non-fiction kids' book that is remembered fondly decades later. Thank you, Hedda Nussbaum, Joe Mathieu, and Random House.

If this book is at your local library and you have a child in grade K-5, pick it up as a treat whether your kids are into plants or not.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't remember this book as well as my other "Do the Strangest Things" books. I guess I decided that plants weren't as cool as animals, reptiles, insects, birds, or dinosaurs! But I do remember the Venus flytrap, which everyone must admit acts almost like an animal!

[Jason Farley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I especially love the mouse eating plant, and my kids love this one too.