Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
What do roots do?
Illustrator: David Schuppert
Nonfiction Picture Book
For ages 5 to 7
NorthWord Books, 2005 ISBN: 978-1559718967
Have you ever wondered why plants have roots? If you have then you have come to the right place to find out. You might have guessed already that roots help to hold plants upright so that they don't tip over when the wind blows, or when you swing on the branches of a tree.
Roots also are the means by which plants get the water that they need to survive. The water enters the roots through tiny little hairs, and from there it flows up through the rest of the root system, up the stem or tree trunk, and into the leaves. Every plant, even those that actually live in water, like lily pads, have roots. Indeed in the case of many plant species, a large portion of their mass lies underground where you can't see it.
So when you are digging in your garden make sure that you are careful not to destroy the root systems of the plants because plants with badly damaged roots will probably die. Of course there are some plant roots which you will want to dig up when the time is right. These are carrots, potatoes, radishes, and other root vegetables.
This book answers a very simple question, a question which children often ask and which we might not always take the time to answer completely. With a rhyming format and plenty of full color illustrations, this title shows children that roots are an essential part of plants.
