K-Gr 3 In this inspired science guide, a cartoon cactus named Spike E. Prickles teaches readers about the special powers that plants possess, such as photosynthesis, the ability to grow in diverse environments, and the use of toxins to ward off hungry animals. Spike introduces himself as a TV-show host presenting on the world of plant life, an entertaining conceit sure to amuse kids. Though the text is comprised of short, accessible sentences, the pages are crammed with detailed photographs, accompanied by illuminating labels and captions, making this book more suited for individual browsing than group sharing. Along the way, three cartoon potted plants watching the show keep up a persistent chatter. While these asides from the peanut gallery may distract from the content, they also demonstrate how children form connections to what they already know, make observations about the visual content, and pose questions. VERDICT A great supplement to plant units, and a welcome introduction to informational texts. Jennifer Wolf, Beaverton City Library, OR