The World's Best Class Plant written by Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick and illustrated by Lynnor Bontiago - ADVISABLE

The World's Best Class Plant written by Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick and illustrated by Lynnor Bontiago. PICTURE BOOK.  G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers (Penguin Random House), 2023.  $19.  9780525516354

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Follow Arlo and his elementary school class as they learn about, and fall in love with, their class plant. Other classes have normal (boring) animals, but Jerry the class plant is full of surprises. 

I never had a pet in any of my elementary classrooms, but this was a fun variation of that theme. It was fun to see the kids grow to appreciate the unique things about Jerry the spider plant. I also liked the subtle growth of the students’ appreciation for their teacher over the course of the year. It’s a clever way to illustrate how students mature a little more each year. The illustrations have great diversity and a great overall message of finding something special in everyone.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, #bookswithbeddes