What Makes a Plant a Plant? Structure and Defenses

A parent would reach for this book when their child starts asking why the cacti in the garden are prickly or how the tall oak tree survives the freezing winter. It is an ideal resource for the 'why' phase of development, transforming a simple walk in the park into a high stakes lesson on botanical survival and engineering. By framing plants as active participants in their own lives, the book helps children see the natural world as a place of resilience and clever design. The book introduces elementary schoolers to the essential parts of plants and the fascinating ways they protect themselves from predators and harsh environments. It bridges the gap between simple nature observation and more complex biological science. Parents will appreciate how it builds scientific vocabulary while fostering a sense of wonder about the quiet strength of the greenery in their own backyard.