Please Grow: Lessons on Thriving for Plants

by Alex Testere

Discover the life lessons plants can teach you—from the importance of putting down roots to leaning on others for support and nourishment—in this charming, illustrated guide to personal growth.

Every idea, relationship, or project begins with a A seed of creativity, a flicker of hope, an inkling of motivation. In Please Grow , illustrator Alex Testere takes us on a journey through the life of a well-tended plant or garden—from nourishing a seed to propagating, protecting, pruning, and beyond—relating the lessons we can learn from the natural world to our everyday lives,


With sweet, vibrant art, ecological sidebars, and a sprinkling of practical plant care tips, Please Grow is a gentle reminder of life's cyclical, ever-blossoming nature. We all have the power to plant our own seeds and harvest our own blooms. So, what are you waiting for?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, Gardening

208 pages, Hardcover

Published March 14, 2023

Reviews

[Roxanne Meek]

All the stars for this perfectly lovely book. We all have so much to learn from the plants and the trees. 🪴🌲

[Becky Goode]

This book is absolutely beautiful. It is profound in the simplest of ways, and everyone should read it once in their lives. Such a stunning read 💚

[Heather]

I am probably rounding up to a 5 but I just found this graphic novel so delightful. We are so connected with nature and what works in helping a plant grow is similar to what helps us grow as people.

[Maggie]

I wish Alex Testere knew that this book found me at exactly the right time. I hugged it when I was finished.

[Kelly Ann McGuinness]

Beautifully illustrated and not intimidating approach to reflection

[Ushnav Shroff]

A beautiful book with lessons on life and growth combined with even more beautiful illustrations.

[Victoria Lynch]

The kind of book you'd give a graduate, a friend who loves plants and needs a reminder you care. I've told a few people about it this week so it must be sticking with me more than you'd think! Favorite chapters: rest (plants go dormant to survive!) and propagate. Kind of the words that define my summer!

[Liv CG]

Delightful. Beautiful. Totally unique.

Best savoured in small bits, and a perfect gift-book.

[Gautami Raghu]

The best comfort book that I have ever read! It has minimal words, beautiful meaning, magnificent illustrations, and an adorable content. I'm literally enchanted by its beauty!

The comparison of a seed with the seed of the mind (idea) and the entire process of making the seed grow into a bloom is what the book is about. It is perfect how the author maps a plant's growth to that of a human. I love the analogy itself and how relatable it is.

I'm not a plant person but I want to be one now. I realize that plants face extreme conditions and yet survive with sheer strength. Its survival index is definitely higher than that of any animal. I have a newfound respect for flora now.

It is the best 1 hour I've spent reading. This book is something I would definitely keep going back to. Its "re-readability" quotient is very high. One additional favourite aspect in the book is that the author has mentioned the scientific name of every plant that he has drawn. :)

I cannot recommend this enough!

[Jennie Strobeck]

“Time, we’re taught, is a thing to be wasted or spent. But is a tree wasting time when it drops its leaves in autumn? Or does it know something that we simply haven’t learned yet? Here are some ways to shed your leaves: lie in bed reading all day… explore a new hobby (without attempting to monetize it)… leisurely fold dumplings until your freezer is full”

This is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel that brilliantly uses plants to provides lessons (or reminders) to help us thrive 💚🌱

[Beth]

I’m so glad I got this book when I saw it and that I read it when I did.

The way that plants grow as a metaphor for our own growth is one that has been used before but that doesn’t mean it’s any less powerful in this shape it takes. The illustrations were gorgeous and the prose was used sparingly in an effective way. Reading this at a crossroads in life made me emotional and I appreciate having this on my shelves to return to again and again.

[Molly McFadden]

“please grow” is the perfect spring read. as i have found myself amidst many beginnings in the last month, this book gave space for reflection and encouragement. filled with colorful images, metaphors, and prompting questions, the self-help style writing flows naturally throughout its pages. i feel more prepared to tend to the plants in my living room and myself because of its words.

[Julie]

I would describe this book as self-help through gardening. I thought the self-help content was pretty obvious, and probably the gardening advice was, too. What I enjoyed most about this book was the delightful illustrations, so maybe an extra half star for those. Overall, this book was pleasant, but nothing new.

[Eunice Wong]

Such a beautifully illustrated book and used plants as a wonderful metaphor for self care. I found myself thinking about my struggles and what makes my life lively throughout the entire read. Very applicable for finding courage to pursue what you've thought about or allow one self to take pauses to find your next steps in life.

[Kaylee Schlosser]

A super quick read. The illustrations are just so cute, and add a new element to the book. The readers are able to learn about growing plants, but self growth. I would recommend to anyone that enjoys learning about plants and self love/ growth.

[Ali]

Beautifully illustrated self-care primer that incorporates nature by encouraging you to grow your seeds, accomplish your goals, and to propagate and thrive. All while also providing excellent tips and examples of nature friendly self-care tips for humans and plants! Absolutely beautiful!

[Iris]

Beautiful illustration and love the parallels between plants and life. Insightful, feel-good soul food.

[Kitty]

Loved it! Very inspirational for gardening and for life in general.

[Aurora]

Definitely more of a self-help book than a plant book, but it was enjoyable. I liked the art.

[Daggry]

A lovely little volume. The metaphors may seem pretty obvious, but they still made me pause and (re)think in useful and inspiring ways.

[Hannah Sue]

So adorable. Beautiful metaphors, design, and lettering. Bravo!

[Katelyn Childs]

Absolutely gorgeous illustrations and great messages. Highly recommend!

[Katey Thompson]

Great advice for growth (whether your own or you plants) with beautiful illustrations every page along the way.

[Andy]

Cute life advice book with plant analogies.

[Jocelyn Taylor]

This book was perfectly beautiful. I loved every little bit of it.

[Courtney]

I did not expect to find this book so moving! It was truly lovely, a delightful and impactful read. I loved it.

[Carrie Brandon]

Simple and wonderful.
Some great tips and tricks for gardening but also wonderful tips for a healthy life.
Well done!

[Kenzie]

Cute! But much prefer personal narrative in these types of books vs a bunch of generic advice

[J Reads]

Delightful. 10/10

[Debbie]

I liked the illustrations. I like the reference to plants. The self help part - meh, it was okay.