Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-5-This attractive informational picture book provides a strong overview of poison ivy. The title aptly borrows from a well-known adage, which warns hikers and campers how to avoid coming into contact with the creeping plant. Sanchez conveys solid information on this potentially irritating plant through a delightful narrative. She describes how each season poison ivy transforms from a hairy vine in winter to brightly streaked red leaves in spring. Brickman's detailed watercolors depict a host of varied wildlife interacting with the plant or coexisting with it: rabbits hopping, bears growling, and various birds feeding on its berries. Useful content becomes engaging and compelling. VERDICT A strong addition to biology and life studies units, this one may even save kids from an itchy experience.-Kathryn Diman, Bass Harbor Memorial Library, Bernard, ME (c) Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Page after page, forest animals nibble and graze on all parts of poison ivy. But urushiol, an oil exuded by every part of this plant, is toxic to humans--only people can get the itchy rash! Little-known facts are presented for young children in simple language and painted and collaged cutouts. "Itching to Know More?" information is included at the back. (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Sanchez introduces a new perspective on this potentially itch-causing plant: Poison ivy plays a vital role in providing food for forest animals throughout the year, especially at times when other food is scarce. While Sanchez litters the text with warnings about staying away from poison ivy ("Hairy vinea warning sign!"), the focus is mostly on the plant's importance to mammals, birds, insects, amphibians and reptiles. Urushiol, a chemical in its sap, may give humans an itchy rash, but animals are immune to its effects, so they can safely nibble its leaves, vines and berries, collect the nectar from its flowers, hide under its leafy, moist shade, and use its rootlets to line nests. Brickman nicely shows both the diversity of the leaves of the poison ivy plant ("Like snowflakes, no two poison ivy leaves are exactly alike") and how it changes through the seasons. An artist's note explains how the illustrations were created; surprisingly, no materials from nature were usedonly painted paper cut and shaped and glued in place. The result is surprisingly realistic, though some of the larger mammals look a bit stiff. Backmatter answers some common questions about poison ivy. While most readers won't become cheerleaders for poison ivy, they will at least come away with a greater understanding of its importance and an increased ability to identify it. (Informational picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
