What do you think?
Rate this book
A Little Book Of Magical Plants
In this little book full of whimsical illustrations and thoughtful quotations, Ruskin Bond introduces us to his favourite plants. Meet the resilient rubber, the tantalizing tomato, the generous grass, the dainty dahlia, the nifty neem and many others. Bond’s simple and descriptive prose brings these apparently inanimate beings alive—each with a distinct identity, a singular quirk. A Little Book of Magical Plants is a handy guide to discover more about this often ignored world of ‘green growing things’.
- GenresNonfictionNature
120 pages, Hardcover
Published November 1, 2019
9 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Ruskin Bond
682 books3,581 followersRuskin Bond is an Indian author of British descent. He is considered to be an icon among Indian writers and children's authors and a top novelist. He wrote his first novel, The Room on the Roof, when he was seventeen which won John Llewellyn Rhys Memorial Prize in 1957. Since then he has written several novellas, over 500 short stories, as well as various essays and poems, all of which have established him as one of the best-loved and most admired chroniclers of contemporary India. In 1992 he received the Sahitya Akademi award for English writing, for his short stories collection, "Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra", by the Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters in India. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1999 for contributions to children's literature. He now lives with his adopted family in Landour near Mussoorie.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 18, 2021
"It's better to create than to destroy."
Exactly.
Everyone is complaining about all the bad things happening. But this little book with full of amazing quotes and some plant tips made my day. It's making me become a more serious plant mom now.
Exactly.
Everyone is complaining about all the bad things happening. But this little book with full of amazing quotes and some plant tips made my day. It's making me become a more serious plant mom now.
April 3, 2020
One can read Ruskin Bond at any stage of the life. Such simplicity in writing is indeed incredible. This also doesn't disappoint anybody. One can feel the connection between human and plants.
December 20, 2022
A sweet book that reminds us of our best friends. Well, some of our best friends.
No one better than Ruskin Bond to talk about nature and plants with such love. A collector’s item this one, full of whimsical drawings.
No one better than Ruskin Bond to talk about nature and plants with such love. A collector’s item this one, full of whimsical drawings.
October 24, 2020
I love you, Ruskin Bond.☘️☘️🌿🌿🦋🦋🌲🌳🎋🍁🍁🍂🥰🤗
May 24, 2024
“Trees and plants always look like the people they live with somehow”
February 17, 2022
A beautiful little book for a plant parent like me. Though most of the plants described herein are the ones that habits mountain terrain. Still it's a charming read. And makes you go to your own plants and shower love on them. Perfect for gifting along with a live plant to someone who really love greens.
(PS: Publishers should refrain from encashing popularity and make these 'little' books more affordable so that people like me do not have to get them on Kindle Unlimited and hard copies can shine on shelves)
(PS: Publishers should refrain from encashing popularity and make these 'little' books more affordable so that people like me do not have to get them on Kindle Unlimited and hard copies can shine on shelves)
November 1, 2020
The book comes yearning for companionship. To understand what might have gone through in the mind of the author while writing this book, one needs to understand the giveaway dance that happens between humans and the plants when they breathe (quoted from the book). One needs to understand the need to thrive and let others (nature, in this case) live in peace too.
November 16, 2019
Writing of Ruskin Bond always made me thing the way he deals with the subject. Sensitive to the nature this book deals with various plants and how plants survive.
Read
January 14, 2022If you are a plant lover and love vegetable gardens 🌱, read this very beautiful book by one of the greatest nature lovers of all time. ☺️ A very refreshing book, full of magical and positive vibes. ✨
✳️ "Plants make me quiet; I like to be in their company." 🌱
✳️ "And so, my friend, even if you don’t have a garden or a field, try to grow something in your home. Almost any plant will do. I have a bean growing near one window and a chilly plant at the next. Both are in flower, and both will give fruit. I never tire of looking at them, because I planted them myself. It is better to create than to destroy”.
✳️ “The earth is generous. All man has to do is cooperate with the forces of nature, the sun and the rain, the heat and the cold. For if the grass disappears, so will mankind”.
#alittlebookofmagicalplants #ruskinbond
✳️ "Plants make me quiet; I like to be in their company." 🌱
✳️ "And so, my friend, even if you don’t have a garden or a field, try to grow something in your home. Almost any plant will do. I have a bean growing near one window and a chilly plant at the next. Both are in flower, and both will give fruit. I never tire of looking at them, because I planted them myself. It is better to create than to destroy”.
✳️ “The earth is generous. All man has to do is cooperate with the forces of nature, the sun and the rain, the heat and the cold. For if the grass disappears, so will mankind”.
#alittlebookofmagicalplants #ruskinbond
November 23, 2020
"Plants make me quiet; I like to be in their company."
Ruskin Bond's love for plants is well-known to everyone. He has shared this love with his readers and fans in the form of a beautiful book. There are wonderful details about plants, his experiences with plants, and some stories about different plants in this book. I loved the way he has connected the plant Aspidistra with George Orwell's novel 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying'. He writes,
"The title of George Orwell's satirical novel, 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying', was indicative of this unfortunate plant's suggestion of middle-class reserve and respectability."
Every word, written in this book, shows how dear plants are for him. He not only loves plants, but he is well-versed about history of a plant, it's benefits, how it can grow properly, and what type of climate, soil and everything is needed by it. Hats off to the knowledge of the man. I bet you'll be a changed person after reading this book. From now on, I can never take plants for granted. I'll always remember the stories behind the origin and benefits of plants whenever I'll come across one.
"Plants have feelings too. Speak two words of kindness and see them grow."
Ruskin Bond's love for plants is well-known to everyone. He has shared this love with his readers and fans in the form of a beautiful book. There are wonderful details about plants, his experiences with plants, and some stories about different plants in this book. I loved the way he has connected the plant Aspidistra with George Orwell's novel 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying'. He writes,
"The title of George Orwell's satirical novel, 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying', was indicative of this unfortunate plant's suggestion of middle-class reserve and respectability."
Every word, written in this book, shows how dear plants are for him. He not only loves plants, but he is well-versed about history of a plant, it's benefits, how it can grow properly, and what type of climate, soil and everything is needed by it. Hats off to the knowledge of the man. I bet you'll be a changed person after reading this book. From now on, I can never take plants for granted. I'll always remember the stories behind the origin and benefits of plants whenever I'll come across one.
"Plants have feelings too. Speak two words of kindness and see them grow."
October 1, 2021
Ruskin Bond's love for nature is evident from his books.I this little book he introduce us his favorite book. Before reading this book my assumption was this book is about some magical plants which exists only in the mind of the author only. But I was wrong. These plants are available around us. I found 6 plants around my house. And the half of the remaining plants are familiar to me.
The book has many nature related quotes and illustrations. The author has given a personal touch to all the plant descriptions.He also discuss about the history and the importance of these plants in our life. The green color font has a soothing feel to our eyes.
The book has many nature related quotes and illustrations. The author has given a personal touch to all the plant descriptions.He also discuss about the history and the importance of these plants in our life. The green color font has a soothing feel to our eyes.
December 9, 2019
Why did I give such a small book a full five-star rating, you might ask! Well, for starters, this book comes along with nostalgia and yearning for companionship. At times, it is important to surround yourself with other beings (not humans, mind you!). Whether these beings are in the form of your pets, your books or plants- all of them play a vital role in maintaining the sanity of your mind.
Read the complete review here: https://aliveshadow.com/category-book...
Read the complete review here: https://aliveshadow.com/category-book...
December 27, 2019
1. It is super gorgeous
2. it is about plant and I love them
3. It is by Ruskin bond
4. It is distinctive
This is not any collection of short stories or some informative plant books, or something like the fantastic beasts thing.
This is my first Little book series book
If you don't know there are many in this series, like of flower, happiness, courage, etc. (And I'll soon grab them all)
Now the reason why I am so much in love with this is because of the great observation that turns Normal plants to be magical.
And then when we think it is for children, then comes the little note, written in calligraphy.
The complete book os printed in green, and in the end there is space for notes too.
This is the first time since the past few months that I got this much excited after reading any book.
The last time I remember was when I held wind in the willows puffin v&a edition.
2. it is about plant and I love them
3. It is by Ruskin bond
4. It is distinctive
This is not any collection of short stories or some informative plant books, or something like the fantastic beasts thing.
This is my first Little book series book
If you don't know there are many in this series, like of flower, happiness, courage, etc. (And I'll soon grab them all)
Now the reason why I am so much in love with this is because of the great observation that turns Normal plants to be magical.
And then when we think it is for children, then comes the little note, written in calligraphy.
The complete book os printed in green, and in the end there is space for notes too.
This is the first time since the past few months that I got this much excited after reading any book.
The last time I remember was when I held wind in the willows puffin v&a edition.
June 15, 2021
Absolutely love it.
October 7, 2021
Simple and heart warming 🙂😊❤️.
October 17, 2021
A cute book of plants ❤️❤️
September 2, 2022
I really liked this book. Ruskin Bond weaves his condemnation of our society and its lack of care for nature into his descriptions of plants that he admires.
April 10, 2023
Beautiful reading as always.
February 24, 2025
Simply loved it...
November 18, 2023
A Little Book of Magical Plants by Ruskin Bond is the #NovemberPick for the Ruskin Bond book-club.
As someone who loves plants and gardening, this book was a boon. Mr. Bond too is an ardent plant lover and observes and writes about them very precisely.
He’s written about plants and their characteristics in such a beautiful way. This book made me wonder about and love mother nature more deeply. I ended up searching for the desi names of all the plants and ended up being amazed by their English names. Buttercups!! what a wonderful name for a flower just because of its characteristics.
This book was a companion to me through my commute to work and managed to leave me with a little smile on my face with its every page. I am very eager to read A Little Book of Flowers by sir now.
As someone who loves plants and gardening, this book was a boon. Mr. Bond too is an ardent plant lover and observes and writes about them very precisely.
He’s written about plants and their characteristics in such a beautiful way. This book made me wonder about and love mother nature more deeply. I ended up searching for the desi names of all the plants and ended up being amazed by their English names. Buttercups!! what a wonderful name for a flower just because of its characteristics.
This book was a companion to me through my commute to work and managed to leave me with a little smile on my face with its every page. I am very eager to read A Little Book of Flowers by sir now.
March 14, 2020
This little book was a refreshing read. Despite its easy and seemingly normal subject matter, this book has the capacity to change your outlook. I think I read it at the perfect time – just in time for the new year. Through the simple yet descriptive prose that Bond is so famous for, he introduces us to his favourite plants. What is magical is how he opens our eyes to make us see the qualities each of these plants posses. We too should be just as resilient and kind and accepting of our own quirks.
At a time when we as Indians are getting shocked everyday because of the gruesome crimes happening against women, let us all pledge to be kind and brave and always stand up against whatever is wrong. I loved how nostalgic the writing seemed to get at times. The author adds his own anecdotes and it just lends a special flavour to the writing.
There are also beautiful illustrations that are very soothing to the eye. Moreover, the quotes are presented in calligraphy adding another layer to beauty to this already adorable book.
4.5/5 stars to this gem!
At a time when we as Indians are getting shocked everyday because of the gruesome crimes happening against women, let us all pledge to be kind and brave and always stand up against whatever is wrong. I loved how nostalgic the writing seemed to get at times. The author adds his own anecdotes and it just lends a special flavour to the writing.
There are also beautiful illustrations that are very soothing to the eye. Moreover, the quotes are presented in calligraphy adding another layer to beauty to this already adorable book.
4.5/5 stars to this gem!
December 9, 2019
Why did I give such a small book a full five-star rating, you might ask! Well, for starters, this book comes along with nostalgia and yearning for companionship. At times, it is important to surround yourself with other beings (not humans, mind you!). Whether these beings are in the form of your pets, your books or plants- all of them play a vital role in maintaining the sanity of your mind.
Read the complete review here: https://aliveshadow.com/category-book...
Read the complete review here: https://aliveshadow.com/category-book...
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews