The Little Plant Doctor

K-Gr 3—Marzollo's sweet, simple biography begins, "I'm a very old tree. I live in Diamond, Missouri. Old trees like me have stories to tell." Told from the perspective of a tree on the grounds of the George Washington Carver National Monument, the story is a heartfelt testimony to Carver's innate curiosity and delight in the natural world. The book is written conversationally, an engaging tactic that draws readers in. Although some might find the fictionalizing off-putting, the nonfiction elements are blended seamlessly with factual details about the man's desire to attend school and his subsequent accomplishments in botany. The vivid, full-bleed illustrations add much to the story; the vibrant, painterly strokes are visible throughout. This lovely book is worthy of a place on most shelves.—Nicole Waskie-Laura, Chenango Forks Elementary, Binghamton, NY