If raising a little gardener is on your list of things to do in life, you might want to pick him or her up a book called How Flowers Grow from Usborne Books. Though this book may seem like a tiny volume at under 40 pages, don’t let that fool you. Like so many other books from the same publisher, it is full of full-color photographs, illustrations, diagrams, and information that’s perfect for introducing young children to the ins and outs of just what the title says—how flowers grow.

The hardback book features vibrant, colorful imagery to attract attention—and to mimic the very sights one can expect to see in the garden. Various types of flowers—from passion flowers to blueberry plants—are covered, showing children that we grow plants for a variety of reasons, such as for scent, for aesthetic pleasure, to attract wildlife, or to even eat!

Basic flower terminology is also introduced in the text. For example, children will learn that both roots and sprouts emerge from a growing seed—and that a shoot that breaks through the soil is known as a seedling. For families unsure how to explain just what something, such as a seed, is, there are very simple explanations, such as, “A seed has a hard shell with young plant inside.” Though this may be too simplistic for older children, it remains an excellent introduction for younger ones.

This simple science is perfect for homeschooling families to go over together, as well as for families to use when supplementing other forms of public or private education. Families who grow their own gardens—whether flower, vegetable, or both—will especially find the book handy in helping to teach their children about how it all works. From plant needs like sunlight and water, to plant uses, to pollination, the book covers most aspects of plant growth and development.

Fun facts can also be found throughout the book. For example, children will learn that the largest seed in the world is the size of a football! (It’s the coco de mer seed.) They’ll also learn that much of their food actually comes from plant parts—such as leaves (broccoli) and roots (carrots). This will be very interesting to children, especially if they have never even thought of their vegetables growing beneath the surface.

The end of the book also contains a helpful glossary of terms for further explanation, including concepts like pollen, bulbs, and more. A few helpful websites are also listed at the end of the book for further reading.