For Nonfiction Monday, we have the beautiful picture book by April Pulley Sayre, Bloom Boom!
As with some of her earlier books, April Pulley Sayre combines her gorgeous nature photographs with sparse, lyrical text.
From woodlands to gardens —
ready, set, go!
Nature is preparing
a flower show…
On the cover is a photograph of brilliantly-colored poppies, which sets the tone for what is to come inside. Every spread is filled with vibrant color, either in sprawling landscapes or detailed close ups of flowers and growing plants.
California poppies
With only a few words on each page, Sayre manages to introduce children to botanical terms and concepts. She also uses alliteration and repetition to keep young readers interested. Besides learning about plants, the book is also a great way for little ones to learn about color (see activity below).
After you’ve gasped at the final spread, don’t forget to check out the back matter. In “The Bloom Boom” section, Sayre explains how to find areas where masses of flowers bloom all at once. In “A Bit More About Blooms” you can find thumbnails of each spread with accompanying details about the flowers in each.
Bloom Boom! is a visual feast, sure to enthrall young nature lovers. Explore a copy today!
Activity Suggestion:
Color Picker:
Gather paint sample cards with a variety of hues and shades (from home supply stores or friends who recently decorated). Challenge children to find colors that match the samples in the book.
To extend the activity, go on a nature hike or visit a botanical garden when flowers are in bloom. See if the children can find matching colors in the plants around them.
Bring along a field guide or plant identification app to learn more about what you discover.
Age Range: 3 – 8 years
Publisher: Beach Lane Books (February 5, 2019)
ISBN-10: 1481494724
ISBN-13: 978-1481494724
Disclosure: The book was provided by our local library Also, I am an affiliate with Amazon so I can provide you with cover images and links to more information about books and products. As you probably are aware, if you click through the highlighted title link and purchase a product, I will receive a very small commission, at no extra cost to you. Any proceeds help defray the costs of hosting and maintaining this website.
Lupines
Looking for more children’s nonfiction books? Try the Nonfiction Monday blog.
, illustrated by Jamie Hogan, coming out this week? The story starts with mother humpback whale giving birth to a baby in the balmy waters of the Caribbean Sea. When the calf is old enough, they migrate north to the New England coast so the mother can get food, and then back to the Caribbean. Along their migration route the whales encounter many dangers, both natural and human made. 
