THE WORLD'S BEST CLASS PLANT

A plant implants itself upon students.

Color Arlo and his Room 109 classmates bored. Unlike the pets in neighboring classrooms, their plant mascot does nothing. It barely grows. The plant seems so insignificant that the kids sometimes forget to water it. Their teacher Mr. Boring (“not his real name”; in a riotous turn, he’s assigned various aliases over the course of the story) claims the plant is “more than enough excitement for us.” Oddly, when the plant is named Jerry, he does become exciting, and the kids solicitously tend to him. Even stranger: Jerry gets greener and longer, eventually requires repotting, and acquires an identity. Jerry’s a spider plant, meaning he produces “little baby Jerrys,” aka spiderettes. Soon Room 109, with “Mr. Patient’s” approval, plans a “Jerry Appreciation Day” with costumes, snacks, and activities. This news goes viral, other students ask to trade their class pets for Jerry, and the whole school attends. Laden with humorous charm, this wise, beautifully written story delivers some plant knowledge, fosters empathy for a living thing, and promotes cooperation. The colorful, clean-lined digital illustrations burst with energy. Arlo and his teacher are brown-skinned; the students are diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

This book will genuinely grow on readers. Don’t be surprised when kids clamor for a plant of their own.