Lois Wickstrom is wonderful at telling children’s tales and this is yet another example of that. A retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk, this book will teach children that everyone has situations that they may need help with. Great story with great illustrations that will teach a wonderful lesson to those who read it. I really enjoy sharing the books by Lois Wickstrom with my kids and my friends.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jennie M Bechtelhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJennie M Bechtel2023-05-31 21:11:272023-06-05 13:49:27Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow! (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Jennie M Bechtel
Another wonderful story by Lois Wickstrom! My kiddos and I absolutely loved this spin on a much-loved children’s book. The illustrations are beautiful, and all of the dialogue leaves room for scientific discussions that we had fun with. I also liked that kindness played a very important role in this story. I highly recommend picking this one up and sitting with the young ones in your life to read it together!
Along with beautiful artwork by the illustrator, the author grows readers a story of communication. Plants communicate with us. But do we know what they are saying? A determined protagonist wants answers. She learns what the plants are saying, then she resolves a way to communicate with the plants. An adventure awaits!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Alison Risherhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAlison Risher2023-05-31 20:01:042023-06-05 13:38:47What Do the Plants Say? (Alex, the Inventor) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Alison Risher
This was a good little story. I’m not sure how educational it really was, but it was an entertaining story with cute pictures. I loved the illustrations and can’t wait to read it to my daughter one day, if she is interested in stuff like this. This author usually doesn’t disappoint with her children’s books and this was no exception.
I’ve always liked retellings of fairy. This book is a take on Jack and the Beanstalk. Jacqueline and her mother need money for food and they don’t want to eat their cow. Jacqueline takes Bessie to the market to sell. On her way there , she meets a man who gives her magical beans in exchange for the cow. Her mother is not happy with the exchange and throws the beans out the window. The next day the beanstalk has grown tall into the sky. What happens next is an adventure and learning experience for Jacqueline. Read the book to find out what happens. The story itself and the illustrations will keep the children entertained.
This isn’t the first book I’ve read by this author, and won’t be the last! This was a lovely retelling of a classic story with a twist. I like the science that the author incorporates into children’s stories, it encourages fun learning in children. It engages kids in a way that’s easy to learn and makes it enjoyable for them. I wish there were more books like this when I was a kid.
Alex is a young girl who is an inventor and whenever she finds something to create, that is when she is the most happy, so one day when she walks past some balloon plants in her garden and hears them talking, she wants to know what they are saying, so she invents something with which she can do just that.
This is when the plant translator is born, so when she gets it working, she decides she wants to throw a party with the plants, but can Alex decode the words and discover what do the plants want to do at the party?
This is a fun filled children’s book with plenty of talking points and interesting facts throughout which all ages can enjoy and learn from together.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Roxsanne Lesieurhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRoxsanne Lesieur2023-05-31 13:24:162023-06-05 13:42:18What Do the Plants Say? (Alex, the Inventor) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.
Jacqueline is a young girls who lives with her mother, they do not have much money, but they get by, but one day, Jacqueline’s mother asks her to take their cow Bessie to market and sell her for a good price so that they can pay for food. Jacqueline is upset, but does as her mother asks and Jacqueline meets an old man there who trades Bessie for three large beans which are meant to be magic, but when Jacqueline returns home, her mother is upset and throws them out of the window.
The next morning, there is a huge beanstalk outside Jacqueline’s window, so she decides to climb it and see what is at the top, this is where she comes across a family of giants who are in the same position as her family, but will Jacqueline be able to find a way to feed everyone?
This is a charming retelling of a well loved fairy tale, all while giving it an original spin which all ages will love and want to read over and again.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Roxsanne Lesieurhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRoxsanne Lesieur2023-05-31 13:12:502023-06-05 13:41:00Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow!: The Real Magic of the Beans (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.
his is an interesting middle age children’s book. It has a scientific learning aspect to it that is written in a way that is easy to understand. This is a story about Alex and the flower inflator that she invents. Alex has a great imagination that adds to her character’s connectability. All the characters are fun and creative. This is an engaging story that will keep your child engaged to the end. I highly recommend this book to any middle aged child.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Bobbi Wagnerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngBobbi Wagner2023-05-31 10:44:392023-06-05 13:21:53What Do the Plants Say? (Alex, the Inventor) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Bobbi Wagner
This is a cute story, a reimagining of Jack and the beanstalk. This series by this author is really interesting as it provides new perspectives on old classics. The story is one that many children will enjoy. I enjoy this author and recommend her to anyone with children who love to read.
What Do The Plants Say? By Lois Wickstrom is a cute story about Alex the inventor. Alex believes that the plants are talking to her so she invents a translator. She then talks to the plants and find out that they want to fly. The story is completely adorable and shows how young children can be so creative. Many of the stories I’ve read by this author are scientific related and while this was not, it is still important to allow children to be creative. I would say this is more for ages 5+, I typically read these to my 2.5 year old but she didn’t really understand the imagination just yet, she did try talking to her plants through!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kristan Andersonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKristan Anderson2023-05-30 19:20:142023-06-05 13:31:14What Do the Plants Say? (Alex, the Inventor) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Kristan Anderson
Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow: The Real Magic of Beans by Lois Wickstrom was a very cute adaptation of Jack and the Beanstalk. I love reading these adaptations because they each have a little bit of science in them that is easy to explain to my 2.5 year old. My daughter loved this story. We talked about beans and how they grow. How we can plant seeds to grow more plants/beans and so on. I think it’s important to talk to our kids about this so I’m very glad that Lois has taken some old favorites and added in just enough for young minds!
One thing that I have come to expect when I see that Lois Wickstrom has published a new book is that this book will be one that I will want to share with everyone that I see. This is such a fun look and twist on the classic fairytale Jack and the Beanstalk. It contains some of the same elements but adds new and whimsical twists. In this story the giants are in trouble and only Jacqueline can save them. This is such a fun twist on this story and it definitely shows kids the importance of sharing what you have.
What do the plants say? (Alex the Inventor) by Lois Wickstrom 4 Stars
I love reading this author’s books. Her stories are always informative and you will always learn something. This book didn’t veer in that direction but while you didn’t learn anything per se, it is an extremely imaginative story. It is fun to imagine what plants would say if they could talk. This book could lead to many interesting conversations with the little ones. Filled with colourful illustrations and adventure, this will be a hit with the children.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Anna Hirschhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAnna Hirsch2023-05-30 15:32:092023-06-05 13:25:34What Do The Plants Say? (Alex the Inventor) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Anna Hirsch
Alex, the Inventor is full of surprises. In a beautiful flower garden, Alex is intrigued on knowing what do the balloon flower are saying….are they talking to Alex? When Alex believes that these balloon flowers are talking she tries to make a new invention on how to talk to these flowers. Is Alex successful in her invention and if so is she able to talk to these beautiful flowers and what are they saying?
This story was wonderful…I loved Alex and her curiosity on a new invention. The illustrations are perfect for this book. This story can be enjoyed for the young and old….Very fun story!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Lorralei Hoernerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLorralei Hoerner2023-05-30 08:00:262023-05-30 08:14:33What Do the Plants Say? (Alex, the Inventor) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Lorralei Hoerner
What Do Plants Say? is the first book in Alex, the Inventor series by Lois Wickstrom. This is an illustrated children’s story that includes some science on sound waves. Alex is an inventor and likes to make useful things out of unused and ‘old’ items. In this story we follow along as she brainstorms ideas for inventing a plant translator so she can listen and talk to her plants. While the story was interesting, and the pictures were on-point, I was left feeling a little disappointed and conflicted, because I love gardening and I would have been heart-broken if my child/grandchild had destroyed my garden by up-rooting as many plants as Alex did in her ‘adventure’.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2023-05-30 00:16:262023-05-30 08:13:31What Do the Plants Say? (Alex, the Inventor Book #1) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Angela Hayes
Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow ! Is a amazing children’s book that children of all ages can enjoy. My son and I are huge fans of this author and have read several of her books several times. What I love most about this author is the message you learn from each story. This one is a retelling of a classic except the message is slightly different. Jacqueline and her mother are hungry and really don’t feel like eating Bessie their old dry cow. Jacqueline is on the way to the market when she passes an old man who offers her some magic beans and if they don’t grow then she can get Bessie back. When she gets back home her mom is not happy she traded the cow for the magic beans. She gets upset with herself and tosses the beans out the window and the next morning is super excited they did so she climbs all the way to the top. At the top she meets a one eyed giant. Thing’s aren’t always brighter on tbe other side. I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens next. The illustrations are great and make the story come to life. We look forward to reading more from this Author.
Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow! The Real Magic of the Beans is a twist on the classic Jack and the Beanstalk story. Jacqueline’s family is hungry, so her mom asks her to take the family cow Bessie to the market and sell for money for food. Along the way, Jacqueline meets an old man who offers to trade her some magic beans for the cow. He tells her the beans will grow way up in the sky and that if they are not magic then she can have the cow back. Jacqueline agrees and takes the beans home and tells her mom what the old man said. Her mom is very upset that Jacqueline made such a silly decision, so Jacqueline throws the beans out the window. When she wakes up in the morning, she is very surprised by what she sees out her window. Could the beans really be magic beans after all?
This was an entertaining and action-packed twist on the classic tale, with a pinch of drama and suspense added in. The illustrations were bright, bold, matched the story well, and really made the story come to life. The characters were fun, unique, and even a bit quirky. Jacqueline was smart and worked hard around the farm to help her mom but there was not enough food to feed them. Although she might have made a mistake in choosing to take the magic beans, she ended up making the most of the situation and found a way to feed her family. I loved the kindly old giant’s wife and how she looked out for Jacqueline caring for her and protecting her from the giant. A good story for a parent to read with their child and discuss things such as decision making, problem solving, growing food, talking to strangers, and consequences.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tara Johnson Barneshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTara Johnson Barnes2023-05-29 18:59:362023-05-30 08:10:17Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow! (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes
Another cute story using the scientific method. This one focuses on hearing plants making pop pop noises and recording it, slowing it down and they decipher a meaning from it! Once the meaning is discovered they have a little adventure and are able to talk back to the plants by recording what they say And speeding it up until it sounds like pop pop so the plants can understand it. Though this was cute and still followed (sort of) the scientific method of discovery and invention it did not keep my daughters attention like other books by this author, but there is plenty to keep us busy!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Melissahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMelissa2023-05-29 18:56:332023-05-30 08:10:10What Do the Plants Say? (Alex, the Inventor) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Melissa Saxton
My 6 year old loves to read so he read this to me and we loved it! What one person thinks is scary, may not be scary to someone else. And this story did such a great job in the descriptions and explanations to help visualize or even “feel” what was being talked about. I love a book my kids and I can read and have a conversation about as what’s being told can also be experienced in real life.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Lyndsey Fairleyhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLyndsey Fairley2023-05-29 18:26:052023-05-29 18:26:05A Monster for Meg (Giants and Monsters) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Lyndsey Fairley
This story is engaging and I loved the spin on this retelling of a classic children’s story.
Jacqueline and her mother are trying to find ways to provide food on their table. As Jacqueline navigates with her cow, Bessie, to the market to bargain…..an old man stops Jacqueline to try and barter for some magic beans. What happens to Jacqueline once the beans are in her possession?
This is a fun, cute story and I always enjoys Lois Wickstrom’s books.
Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow! (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom. This author has become one of my very favorite children’s authors. Her stories are filled with lessons, fun and neat tips. They make amazing gifts and this one is no exception. This is a retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk. Jacqueline sells her beloved cow Bessie to help her family and keep them from starving in trade for seeds, The beanstalk grows and grows with a giant couple living at the top now she has to figure out how to feed 2 families. The giant says he won’t eat her if she brings them food. Such a cute retelling and has many lessons inside the story. Teaches kids about growing food and that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
I loved this imaginative and colourful story aimed at children. I loved the fantasy element of the story and the wonderful illustrations. It’s lovely to see Alex’s perseverance to learn something new and be better at it.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Stephanie Robbhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngStephanie Robb2023-05-29 06:47:222023-05-30 08:12:09What Do the Plants Say? (Alex, the Inventor) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Stephanie Robb
I really enjoyed this retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk with a new introduction to science twist. It is a great story for big kids and small kids alike. Each page engages the reader with beautiful illustrations and easy-to-read short sentences.
Alex hears the plants talking to her. She’s very intrigued by this and wants to learn more of what they are saying to her. She tries a variety of methods to distinguish between the different “pops” and learns that they want to have a party. What’s the best way to have a party? With helium of course!
This was a fun book but not my favorite by this author. She writes a lot of books with a science them, and while this one was still science focused, it had more of a mythical approach to it as well. I was not fond of the “talking to plants and thinking they speak to you” aspect. I do know that there is some research out there about talking to plants but I’m not super convinced of this having a true effect. I think for kids, it’s best to keep it simple. I still recommend this book though!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Julie Johnsonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJulie Johnson2023-05-28 21:15:252023-05-30 08:10:54What Do the Plants Say? (Alex, the Inventor) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Julie Johnson
Alex hears the balloon flowers in her yard popping. Deciding to investigate she invents a plant translator to figure out why.
I like these authors books, they always have a science angle and I can always learn something. I had never heard of balloon flowers so this was something I looked up after. I would definitely read this to my granddaughter and then plant some seeds for balloon flowers to see and hear what happens. Great book..
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Emily Heislerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngEmily Heisler2023-05-28 14:54:142023-05-30 08:05:10What Do the Plants Say? (Alex, the Inventor) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Emily H
Cute and informative This is a brilliant book for the budding scientist and inventors out there. I love this author’s books as they open a world of possibilities to children. This is a great picture story book for the classroom to introduce children to Inquiry. The text is easy to read and follow. There is so much to explore within each page and the creativity with illustrations is brilliant. Highly recommend.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Rayne Easthttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRayne East2023-05-28 06:40:342023-05-30 08:04:39What Do the Plants Say? (Alex, the Inventor) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Rayne East
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57899571-what-do-the-plants-say” style=”float: left; padding-right: 20px”><img border=”0″ alt=”What Do the Plants Say? (Alex, the Inventor)” src=”https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1619777269l/57899571._SX98_.jpg” /></a><a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57899571-what-do-the-plants-say”>What Do the Plants Say?</a> by <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/331633.Lois_Wickstrom”>Lois Wickstrom</a><br/> <br /><br /> Alex is an inventor. She creates a way to talk to the balloon flowers in the garden. She gets the helium tank and a recorder and records her conversations with the balloon flowers, and a way to fly with the flowers without popping them. Such a cute book<br /> <br/><br/> <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/6813301-tori”>View all my reviews</a>
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Torimittonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTorimitton2023-05-27 20:56:492023-05-30 08:07:40What Do the Plants Say? (Alex, the Inventor) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Tori Mitton
I have read a lot of Lois Wickstrom’s books, and this is one of my least favorites. It is still a good story, but too fantasy in my opinion- I like the more realistic stories where it shows actual reality. The book still follows the scientific method, I just didn’t like the story as much as some others Lois has written.
My favorite part was when Alex used the recorder and had to experiment with her voice speed and volume t make it sound like the plants- I could just hear kids re-enacting this part!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jennifer Crainhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJennifer Crain2023-05-27 20:38:492023-05-30 08:07:34What Do the Plants Say? (Alex, the Inventor) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Jennifer Crain
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