Jody's Beans (Reading Time)
PreSchool-Grade 2When Jodys Granda comes to visit, he brings some seeds, which the two plant together. Each step of the growth and care of the scarlet runner beans is described throughout the spring, summer, and fall, as Granda visits or telephones with helpful information and encouragement. Whenever Jody asks what will happen, he says, Wait and see. Under the girls watchful eye, the plants grow tall, flower, produce edible beans, and, finally, provide seeds for next year. At the same time, seen mostly through the illustrations, Jodys mothers pregnancy progresses and by harvest time theres a new baby. However, the focus of the story remains on growing scarlet runner beans. The process is clearly described, and an index refers readers back to particular topics, such as pinching back or staking seedlings. The detailed ink-and-watercolor illustrations show many aspects of the plants and also of the relationship between Jody and her grandfather.Carolyn Jenks, First Parish Unitarian Church, Portland, MECopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.