WE CAN HEAR WITHOUT EARS

Without plants none of us would survive.

“You think we plants do nothing—just stand around all day with our roots stuck in the ground. We’re like green lampposts, right? Well! We’d like to set a few things straight.” Speaking on behalf of tulips and sunflowers, willows and pine trees, the carnivorous Venus flytrap, and more, a chatty, slightly sarcastic collective narrator argues that plants are crucial. They address their complaints to a variety of creatures from mice and lizards to seagulls and gardeners. Along the way, they declare that “making food is our superpower” and that they can block enemy insects with sap and, in the case of the tomato plant, release a chemical to attract a wasp to eat a caterpillar munching on its leaves: “Those tomato plants are like a dinner bell. Ding, ding, ding! Come and get it!” They explain the symbiotic relationship between plants and fungi and how they communicate to help one another out in times of distress. An enchanting mix of whimsy and well-delivered facts, Peters’ portrait of community and cooperation among plants offers a model for us “nonplants” to consider if we, too, want a successful future, from being more attentive to our surroundings to using more renewable energy. Ridolfi’s enticing mixed-media collages blend earthy, energetic botanical sketches with woodblock-style prints to depict a variety of landscapes showcasing plant power.

A delightful, humorous journey that will have youngsters regarding flora with a newfound respect.