PPBF – The Plant Rescuer

I love growing and learning about plants that grow inside and outside. Today’s Perfect Picture Book features both.

Title: The Plant Rescuer

Written & Illustrated By: Matthew Rivera

Publisher/Date: Neal Porter Books/2024

Suitable for Ages: 4-8

Themes/Topics: indoor gardening, library, tropical plants

Opening:

Manny and his dad come from a long line of gardeners.

Brief Synopsis: Manny tries to grow his own plant indoors and become a gardener, like his father who owns a landscape company.

Links to Resources:

• Discover some tips to growing plants indoors with kids;
• Manny calls his plant his amigo, his friend. Do you have any non-human friends? What makes them special? Write a description or draw a picture of your non-human friends;
• Check out the Educator’s Guide for more resources.

Why I Like this Book:

The Plant Rescuer is a sweet story that features a landscape company owner and the son who reveres him. It’s clear from the outset that Manny and his father love plants and that Manny wants to become a landscaper like his father. His father nurtures that interest by allowing Manny to acquire and care for his own houseplant. I think kids will relate to Manny’s desire to assume sole responsibility for a living thing, to prove that they are responsible and are growing up.

But as often happens when doing something for the first time, Manny fails. We see in the illustrations how the plant, Manny’s beloved “amigo”, withers and starts to die. I love how Rivera depicts the passage of time and Manny’s attempts to revive the plant. Most especially, I love how Manny solves his problem on his own by visiting the library and reading guides to growing indoor plants. Of course, the plant thrives under Manny’s now-expert care, but I won’t spoil the ending by telling you how much it thrives or by sharing Manny’s next steps.

For plant lovers, for kids who want to be just like a beloved adult, and for anyone looking for an uplifting story, I highly recommend The Plant Rescuer.

A Note about Craft:

Like the indoor jungle Manny’s father creates in a small apartment, Rivera adds layers to this story. Manny’s father toils outdoors each day, but it’s the small, plant-filled apartment in which Manny attempts to grow a new plant. Manny lives there with his father and grandmother. It’s clear that the family is far from wealthy, but the family’s happiness shines through.

This Perfect Picture Book entry is being added to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book list. Check out the other great picture books featured there!

I reviewed a digital copy provided by the publisher via Edelweiss.plus reader.