In message , Donwill
writes
Bob Hobden wrote:
"beccabunga" wrote

'Tom Withycombe[_2_ Wrote:

;861973']Our bright granddaughter, who will be 7 in a couple of
weeks,
has
specifically requested a book on plants, how they grow, propagate etc.

as a birthday present. Senior Management and I are stumped on a book
which should be sufficiently juvenile without being infantile. The
young
lady in question is extremely intelligent, reads well and has no
difficulty in grasping basic concepts. Obviously descriptive
illustrations would be helpful in maintaining interest.

Does anyone have suggestions on a suitable book? If so we'd be very
grateful.


If she is reading freely, then do not go for a "child's version". Go
for a really good, well illustrated but reasonably simple adult one.
Apart from Hessayon, the Dorling Kindersley range are well presented
and nicely illustrated; the Pocket Encyclopaedias will allow her to
build up a library for herself.

"The Secret Life of a Garden" by Chris Beardsely might be a good
starter.


Quite agree, get her an adult book on gardening, she can grow up into
it then and not throw it away when it becomes childish.
If a child is interested in gardening don't underestimate their need
for real knowledge and proper guidance.


Yes, I agree also. That is why I recommended the readers digest books,
I grew up with them and still
treasure the 3 volumes. They are beautifully illustrated and cover all
aspects of gardening, they also have
chapters called Children's Gardens, Plants of the Bible, Animals birds
and insects in the Garden, etc
which may be the ones that interest her to start with.
Do let us know what you decide to give her.
Regards
Don

Once again, very many thanks for the thought and consideration given to
this subject. The more it is investigated, the more complex it becomes -
the range of options being pretty wide. We have a couple of weeks yet
but will try not to forget to let you know of our decision. Am advised
that grandparents become increasingly forgetful ))

--
Tom W.
Dorset/UK