Something is Growing

The book does not foster the development of the processes. Peter planted a seed and talked to it everyday telling the seed it will grow one day. On the next page, the plant grew to be bigger than the boy and the building around it. The boy does not engage in the process of growing a plant instead the plan just miraculously grows very quickly.

• Author: Walter Lyon Krudop
• Illustrator: Walter Lyon Krudop
• Year Published: 1995
• ISBN: 0689319401

Science Topics

• Life Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• Kindergarten

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 3rd Grade

Summary

"Little Peter finds and plants a seed in the dirt of a city street, gently helping it grow until is starts to take over the whole city, forcing a snoopy neighbor and a professor to investigate the situation" (Amazon).

Evaluation

• Appropriateness: Medium
• Authority: Medium
• Accuracy: Low
• Liteary Artistry: High
• Appearance: High

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

The book does not foster the development of the processes. Peter planted a seed and talked to it everyday telling the seed it will grow one day. On the next page, the plant grew to be bigger than the boy and the building around it. The boy does not engage in the process of growing a plant instead the plan just miraculously grows very quickly.

Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?

The book provides opportunities for children to ask questions and also ignites a lot of curiosity as to how the plant grew so quickly and what made it grew so quickly. However, there are no reasonable answers to the questions. It was a miracle that happened because of the boy and his wishes.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

The book does empower children that they can be well known for the things that do. IN terms of thinking of themselves, the book can foster curiosity and wonder as to how the plant can endlessly grow so quickly.

Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?

The science topic, plant growth, is not appropriate to the lesson. Only than planning the seed in dirt, there is not a correlation between how actual plants grow and how the plant miraculously grows in the text.

Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?

The content is not based on scientific principles and it is not accurate.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

There are some facts about plants, such as plant spores; however, the facts are blown out of portion. And the illustrations over exaggerate the text so that what is a fact becomes a fiction.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are very colorful and lively; however, they are not accurate depictions of how plants grow and of scientists and professors.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

Yes, the book would be age appropriate for my second graders. Even though there are some words that require extensive vocabulary, the text is written at a level of my students.

Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?

There are no multicultural components in the book.

Is the book free from gender bias?

No. The individual who is totally confused about the rapid plant growth is a woman (the only woman), and she calls her professor friend who is a man. All throughout the book, the scientists, researchers, and the reporter are males.

Does the book show the close association between science and other disciplines?

The book does not show a close association between science and other disciplines.

Does the book present a positive attitude toward science and technology?

The book does present science in a way that seem adventurous, and the professor and scientists utilize technology (which is not clearly shown/explained) as they solve the rapid plant growth mystery.