Published: 2019
Author / Illustrator: Isabel Serna
Genre: Illustrated Gift Book / Humorous Lifestyle Non-Fiction
Audience: All Ages (Fun for families, teens, and home libraries)
Number of Stars: ★★★★★
Goodreads Link: Crazy Plant Lady
Themes: Botany, Quirky Habits, Self-Care, Plant Care Puns, Mindfulness.
Review by: Megan Powell
Publisher’s Summary
For the plant-obsessed woman of any age, this humorous, illustrated little book celebrates the devotion and quirky habits plants inspire.
You know you’re a crazy plant lady when watering is a hobby, you can’t resist a cute pot, and just looking at succulents and monsteras makes you smile. This charming celebration of the plant lady lifestyle proves that plant love is the joy that keeps growing. There are sweet puns: Aloe you vera much. Plant lady dreams: thrifting the perfect vintage mister. Relatable mantras: Every day is a good day to go plant shopping. All featuring vibrant art by Isabel Serna throughout—plus, a bonus sheet of plant-themed stickers!
Review
I received this beautiful book as a gift from my nannie last Christmas, and I am so incredibly excited to have finally read through the whole thing! If you have even a passing interest in gardening or house plants, then this book is absolutely for you. It is the cutest little book packed with the most adorable illustrations imaginable. The pages are filled with genuine fun facts and cute, practical pieces of botanical advice throughout. For example, I learned the fun fact that the most popular flowering plant in America is actually the poinsettia! There is a wonderful visual section that breaks down different ways you can easily plant and propagate your house plants as well. The book is highly interactive; on one page, there is a clever scavenger hunt where you have to scan the art to find the hidden cacti, and on another page, there is a hilarious checklist to make sure your plants are cared for properly. The text is seasoned with motivational plant quotes and high-quality stickers at the back. I 100% recommend this book—it is an easy, light, and joyful read that teaches you a ton of fun facts along the way. Plus (again), the illustrations are completely adorable!
🎒 Classroom & Curricular Connections
- Elementary Life Sciences & Botany (Plant Propagation & Growth):
- Activity Idea: “The Propagation Station.” Use the book’s illustrated propagation guide to teach a hands-on, foundational science lesson. Bring a pothos or spider plant to class and show students how to make a clean node cut. Place the cuttings in clear water jars on the classroom windowsill, allowing students to use a tracking sheet to observe and sketch root development over the month.
- English Language Arts & Visual Literacy (Puns and Wordplay):
- Activity Idea: “Botanical Wordplay.” Serna uses charming puns like “Aloe you vera much.” Introduce the concept of wordplay and puns to students. Have them pick a plant, fruit, or vegetable and design their own illustrated greeting card featuring a clever, plant-themed pun (e.g., “We make a great pear” or “You’re simply unbe-leaf-able”).
- Creative Writing & Interactive Media (Designing a Checklist):
- Activity Idea: “The Funny Care Guide.” Taking inspiration from the book’s humorous plant care checklist, have students create a funny, tongue-in-cheek care guide for a completely unusual “pet” or object, such as a pet rock, a classroom pencil sharpener, or a favorite video game console.
