Fly Traps!: Plants That Bite Back

by Martin Jenkins, David Parkins (Illustrator)

Amusing illustrations and fascinating facts explore the world of the carnivorous plants, such as the Venus flytrap, the bladderwort and cobra lilies.

Genres: Plants, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 7, 1996

About the author

Martin Jenkins, a conservation biologist, has written several nonfiction books for children, including Ape, Grandma Elephant’s in Charge, The Emperor’s Egg, and Chameleons Are Cool. He lives in Cambridge, England.

Reviews

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fly Traps !: Plants that bite back (read and wonder) by Martin Jenkins Illustrator David Parkins- Children’s illustrated picture book- In this book, the story of carnivorous plants is narrated by a child. Most children love to collect and grow plants. The author likes to grow carnivorous plants. Carnivorous plants trap and eat insects. First plant is named Bladderwort or Utricularia. Author found this tree with flowers growing in a pong. The flower a trap door. The moment a water fly touches the bubbles type hair the trap door, the flower closes its open mouth. The insect is trapped and eaten by the flower. These plants are hungry. Second, author climbed a hill and saw a Moss plant growing in mud and slush. It grew in rain water. It was named Sundew. Three, Venus flytrap plant had flowers. On the leaf of this flower, there was a hinge, many small trigger hair and a pointed rim. The moment a fly or a wasp touched two hairs, it was trapped. Fourth, Cobra lily whose leaves were like a funnel. Any insect sitting on it would slide down pond inside the plant. Fifth, Pitcher Plant is found in Malaysia. These plants eat flies. Author of this book Martin Jenkins is a Biologist. The book is able to awaken the curiosity of a child which makes him think like a scientist. I have read this book in Hindi language. Coloured sketches help the reader to relate to the story.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and informative

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book about carnivorous plants. My whole family enjoyed it, and now my husband wants a venus fly trap. Only available through inter-library loan in our system.

[Mackenzie]

I chose this book because it looks like a fun book to read, but also has good information. This could be used for a plant unit