The Plants Tell A Story
Made by Nienhuis Montessori · shipped by Heutink International (Netherlands) About the maker
A cosmic tale in which the plants do the telling, from the series built on Maria Montessori's great lessons. It belongs with the timeline rather than with botany: plants were on land long before animals were, and they are the reason there was anything to breathe when the animals arrived. Written in English. The other titles in the series, including the animal tales, are separate items.
“The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, 'The children are now working as if I did not exist.'”
The Plants Tell A Story introduces botanical concepts through photographic collages that capture real ecosystems in vivid detail.
- Visual discrimination of plant characteristics and habitats
- Recognition of plant diversity within different ecosystems
- Development of observation skills through photographic study
- Building vocabulary for botanical and environmental terms
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These visual narratives of forests, fields, and gardens meet the young child's need to connect with nature through concrete, beautiful images. Each photograph in this collection serves as a window into plant communities, allowing children to observe relationships between different species without requiring abstract thinking. The book's organization from familiar garden scenes to complex forest ecosystems follows the Montessori progression from known to unknown. By presenting plants within their natural contexts rather than in isolation, these photographic stories honor the child's tendency to perceive wholes before analyzing parts. The professionally bound pages invite repeated exploration, as children discover new details in each ecosystem photograph during successive viewings.
How to present it
Follow the Montessori method of presentation for optimal child development.
Place the book on a low shelf at child's eye level. Create a quiet reading area with cushions or a small mat nearby. Have a magnifying glass available for closer examination of photographs.
- 1
Begin with one ecosystem, such as the garden pages, allowing the child to explore freely
Let the child turn pages at their own pace without rushing - 2
Point to specific plants when the child shows interest, naming them simply
Use real botanical names alongside common names when appropriate - 3
Encourage the child to describe what they see using their own words
Ask 'What do you notice?' rather than testing knowledge - 4
Connect photographs to the child's experiences outdoors
Reference plants they've seen on walks or in the school garden
Every Child Is a Little Creator
Heritage
Since 1929
In classrooms
Around the world
European brands
Nienhuis, GAM, Educo
The Plants Tell A Story
