Flowers Are Calling

Yes, the book fosters the development of the process of rhyming poetic form, repetition, prediction, and classification. There are numerous points where the teacher could ask the students to think about what they think is going to happen next based on the images. For example, the teacher could ask: Why do you think the author is using words that rhyme (e.g. animals and plants)? Can you elaborate on that? Do you all think bees, bats, birds, butterflies, and moths are important for flowers to grow (pollinators are important creatures on earth)? How do you know? Are there any other animals that you think help flowers or plants collect pollen (e.g. beetles, hummingbirds)?

Author: Words by Rita Gray
Illustrator: Pictures by Kenard Pak
Year Published: 2015
ISBN: 978-0-544-34012-1

Summary

This book provides an overview and clear explanation of how insects and birds play an important role when they trade their pollen with other flowers. This book includes a rhyming poetic form, which makes a connection between plants, flowers, and animals. This book also gives the reader an opportunity to see and explore how flowers and pollinators need one another for nourishment. The content and illustrations throughout this book are very comprehensible. For example, it gives the reader an explanation of important animals (pollinators) such as butterflies, birds, bats, bees, and moths that give significant help to plants to make new flowers.

Evaluation

Appropriateness: High
Authority: Medium
Accuracy: High
Liteary Artistry: High
Appearance: High

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?

Yes, I think the book does a great job with showing the symbiotic relationship between flowers and pollinators through illustrating visual images. As a result, if children asked questions about what is happening in the book based on the cover and skimming some pages, then students can form their own conclusions, questions, predictions, and inferences of what they think is going to happen in the book.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

Most definitely, because when children look at the pictures, they will start making assumptions about the book. For instance, children might say this book is going to be about animals, plants, and flowers. I also think that engaging text and pictures encourage children to continue reading the book. For example, the students will be able to identify the context of this book by seeing animals and flowers when they turn the pages.

Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?

Yes, the content of this book is appropriate to the lesson.

Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?

Yes, the content is based on sound principles. It shows how the students would be able to identify that living organisms have basic needs in order to survive in their environment. It also shows the process of how flowers need pollinators to flourish, and pollinators need flowers for nourishment. In addition, it defines what a pollinator is: any animal or insect that helps a flower to trade pollen with similar flower. Also, the last page of this book provides the information mentioned above in order to explain with scientific accuracy that plants and animals have certain needs.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

This book is factual; however, there are some literary devices such as personification and metaphors that are used to teach scientific methods to children in a way they can understand.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

Yes, the images or illustrations of this book are eye-catching, beautiful, uplifting, and realistic. The colors, patterns, and shapes are great for visualizing what is happening between animals, insects, flowers, and plants. As a result, the illustrations are very clear and accurate.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

Yes, the book is an appropriate level for students grades k-3. I am also thinking that this book can be helpful to 4th and 5th grade students as well when teaching about organisms and environments. As mentioned before, the last pages of this book have important information that showed us the fascinating ways flowers call their special pollinators, as well as vocabulary for children to understand the information within the book.

Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?

There is no multicultural component, but I don't think this book shows stereotyping. For example, almost at the end of the book only two minority children are represented; however, there are no situations or actions being performed that represent stereotypes.

Is the book free from gender bias?

Yes, the book is free from gender bias. There is one female and one male each character in the book. Both characters are shown equally and performing the same action; therefore, there is no gender bias.

Does the book show the close association between science and other disciplines?

There is a little connection made between science and other disciplines; for example math is portrayed through the use of "patterns" and "shapes" from the plants and flowers. Maybe, there can be an activity in which the teacher makes a connection with what the students have learned about this book with a future lesson in math (2-D shapes, Geometry).

Does the book present a positive attitude toward science and technology?

The book maintains a curious, sometimes even delightful light-heartedness, and a sweet and humorous tone (using rhymes) towards plants and animals. Thus, there is not much content addressed about technology in the book, but there is a positive attitude towards science.

Science Topics

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Maximum Suggested Grade Level