Plant Adaptations

Learn how plants adapt to thrive in all kinds of environments in this colorful nonfiction book!



How do plants survive in different environments? They adapt! Plant Adaptations: Shallow Roots, Thick Stalks, and Poison introduces readers 5 to 8 to some of the characteristics plants have developed to help them survive. From the saguaro cactus with its waxy coat to kidney beans and their ability to poison anything that tries to eat them raw, plant adaptations are fun and fascinating! How do wild plants adapt? Through natural selection! Natural selection happens when plants with features that help them survive are those that live long enough to pass down these characteristics to their offspring. Over many generations, the traits that don’t help with survival appear less and less often. The plants have adapted!

Scientific concepts including biological evolution, heredity, and ecology come clear with engaging illustrations and lots of familiar, real-life examples. An introductory poem offers language arts connections while a hands-on activity reinforces concepts in the book. A glossary and photographs offer even more supplemental learning opportunities.


Plant Adaptations: Shallow Roots, Thick Stalks, and Poison is part of an eight-book set of Picture Book Science books designed to introduce young scientists to environmental science. Other titles include: Insect Adaptations: Mouthparts, Mimicry, and Flying and Microbe Adaptations: Glowing Lights, Hot Vents, and Large Numbers.


All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile and align with Common Core state standards and Next Generation Science Standards.


All titles are available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats.