Plants to the Rescue!: The Plants, Trees, and Fungi That Are Solving Some of the World's Biggest Problems

by Vikram Baliga, Brian Lambert (Illustrations)

In the ongoing fight against climate change, plastic pollution, and diseases, scientists are turning to an unlikely ally― Plants to the Rescue!

Everyone knows plants are pretty cool. They create oxygen for us to breathe (fairly essential), provide us with trees to climb, and give us pretty flowers to put in vases. But it turns out that plants can do a whole lot more than that too! In this brilliant botany book by podcaster, TikToker, and plant professor Dr. Vikram Baliga, get ready to drop your jaw on the floor when you find out

• The spinach that can detect landmines AND send emails
• The fig trees used to create living bridges
• The glow-in-the-dark plants that might one day light your home

You’ll also learn about the prickly cactus that can be turned into an eco-friendly bag and the fungi that likes to feed on oil spills.

Perfect for anyone who loves nature and wildlife, as well as the scientists of the future―you won’t look at plants and trees in the same way again!

Featuring illustrations by Brian Lambert

Genres: Middle Grade, Plants, Childrens, Nonfiction

80 pages, Hardcover

Published July 11, 2023

About the author

Dr. Vikram Baliga is a Horticulture Lecturer at Texas Tech University. He hosts the Planthropology podcast, where he interviews amazing people from the world of botany, and has a popular account on TikTok.

Reviews

[Kerry Crabbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent, even for adults.

[Christine Zandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This colorfully illustrated book is bursting with fun and important information, answering questions kids may have and inviting them to think about things they may not have considered. Can plants grow without soil? Can they grow in space? Why do some plants glow? There's so much to enjoy. It's a book kids can turn to time again making it ideal addition to a classroom. My favorite is the spinach plant that can send emails. Seriously. Wow, right?!

[Hilary Margitich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book for kids who enjoy learning about plants and agriculture, and how they can provide natural solutions to environmental problems. Many of the suggestions in this book I had not heard of before, and they were brilliant! A very beneficial read.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great picture book-format non-fiction book about plants and their importance to the world and the environment. Good for elementary ages. Wonderful art, easy to read, sectioned areas on each page highlight different qualities of plants, trees, and fungi.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is so much great information here. However, the organization is a bit all over the place and the pictures are also very busy. I also would have preferred a more organic, and true to nature, color scheme.

[Mel]

Super fun artwork, important messages and teachings about plants. I loved this!

[Kai Charles(Fiction State Of Mind) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fascinating looking at how we are using various plants to heal imbalances in our RR climate.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO MUCH INFO!! Really cool info about new ways they are using plants, like as a plastic replacement. Great art.

[Kitchen Sink Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning collection of plants is presented to us in this glorious book which both celebrates plant life and teaches us more about it.

You know I am sure that plants are cool, they help us breathe, give us trees to climb and pretty flowers to look at but do you know how much more they can do? Learn about the spinach plant that can detect land mines, the fig trees used to make living bridges and even glow in the dark plants. Is simply fascinating!

[Chantal HK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Une approche par rubriques diversifiées, toutes en lien avec les plantes et l'écologie, courtes (1 double page par sujet) et bien ficelées. Les illustrations sont bien faites et très claires, elles appuient très efficacement la matière expliquée. Des application modernes et récentes qui se développent rapidement, pour aider à soutenir l'écologie. Un livre actuel et passionnant.