The Wonderful World of Carnivorous Plants

The Wonderful World of Carnivorous Plants by Suzanne Houghton (CSIRO Publishing) HB RRP $26.99 ISBN: 9781486319527

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Carnivorous plants are the weird and wonderful species that eat meat to survive. They come in a range of crazy shapes and colours, and they have developed ‘several clever ways to feed’. This might sound ‘gruesome’, but these unique plants need to be protected before they become extinct. All ‘plants have a role to play’ in the ecosystem, and carnivorous plants are no exception.

Suzanne Houghton’s cheery rhyming text introduces nature-loving five- to nine-year-olds to perhaps the world’s most intriguing plant group. Simple explanations help youngsters understand the often-complex processes by which the plants catch their prey, while humorous facts – such as the tropical pitcher plant’s predilection for shrew and bat poo – are sure to elicit a giggle or two. Comprehensive notes about carnivorous plants, plus a useful glossary, at the end of the book are superb for older children who want to know more about the subject.

Suzanne’s large and vibrant illustrations invite readers deep into the riveting realm of carnivorous plants. Kids will almost feel like ants themselves, as their eyes climb sticky stems and slide into slippery pitchers. One of the most striking spreads in the book features red-and-green pygmy sundews that resemble viruses under a microscope. The detail in each image is amazing!

Exploring beyond the common Venus flytrap, The Wonderful World of Carnivorous Plants opens a whole new botanical sphere for budding biologists. While examining these extraordinary plants, they will discover the importance of biodiversity, symbiosis and conservation to a blooming planet.

Fabulous Frogs

Fabulous Frogs (CSIRO) Katrina Germein & Suzanne Houghton PB RRP $24.99 9781486317875

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Katrina Germein is a bestselling children’s picture book author and an Australian early childhood teacher. She has written over twenty picture books with some published internationally. Her first picture book, Big Rain Coming, became an international success.

Suzanne Houghton is an award-winning author and illustrator of several books including Wonderful Wasps and Life is a Hollow. She adores using colour in her books.

Discover everything weird and wonderful about 12 Australian native frogs found in swamps, rainforests, deserts and even backyards.

Katrina Germein’s opening two sentences are questions, that use alliteration. They lead the reader to page turn to discover more. This is a perfect start for a book of discovery. Do you have a favourite, fabulous frog?  A fine, fascinating, Australian frog? Note the use of two strong sentences, not one. This is super clever. The sentences are succinct and on point so that a child can easily absorb the information. The sentences allow for the illustrations to complement the text and provide extra visual information.

As you read you move from habitat to appearance, adaptability, diet, lifecycle, predators, environmental threats and how to create a frog hotel in your backyard. The ending links back to the opening sentence and allows the reader to decide upon their favourite frog. Now, which is your favourite fabulous frog? The end matter has more information about Australian frogs and includes the steps to creating a frog-friendly garden which encourages care for frogs. A handy glossary at the back makes this such an informative and educational book.

Suzanne Houghton’s distinct illustrative style ensures the book is not only informative but beautiful to read. Her love of colour shows with the sky-blue background on the front cover with frogs on branches and rocks. The endpapers feature the twelve frogs inside the book each numbered and labelled. The reader knows exactly which frogs are in the book and what they look like before even reading a word of the text.

The illustrations work well with the text and allow frogs to shine in page spreads and vignettes. The attention to detail shows and the movement and beauty of frogs is captured beautifully.  The use of white space is effective so that the eye is immediately drawn to the frogs. I particularly love the double-page spread about camouflage with the Great Barred frog hidden beautifully in lovely brown leaf matter.  It encourages a child reader to find frogs just as they would in nature.

Fabulous Frogs is a book that celebrates our native frogs and their unique behaviours and features. It will not only delight children, parents, teachers and librarians but inform and create awareness about our native Australian frogs. It’s a great teaching resource and a fantastic read for those children who love non-fiction picture books. Fabulous Frogs is the sort of book that can be read repeatedly. This book is suitable for 5-9 years and I’m sure many will love it.