Jerome Wexler

This book begins with an introduction to all carnivorous plants but mainly focuses on sundews. The book includes up close, time lapse photos of how the sundew leaves work to trap insects. The explained that indoor potted plants were used for photograpy because outdoor wild specimens would have debris and insects such as aphids on the leaves. The author is truly showcasing the beauty of this group of plants. The text continues its narrative topical structure by explaining how carnivorous plants self-pollinate, produce seeds and are vegetatively reproduced. The author even gives advice on how to raise sundews in your home. The author does not list sources or give acknowledgements. Overall, this is a good scientific book about carnivorous plants.… (mehr)

This is a book about perception and illusion. It is a great family book that everybody can read together. Try guessing the picture and see who is correct. This book is illustrated with pictures that are close up and interesting.

Reaction: I remember having a similar picture game in grade school, but it came in our weekly reader and we were asked to guess what each picture was. I was very proud of myself when I guessed that an object was a toothpick and got it right. This is a great book for the entire family.

Extension: It would be great to have a family night and divide into groups and see which group gets the most pictures right in a short amount of time. Another idea is too take our own pictures and see if our friends can guess our object.… (mehr)

I like this book for early to late elementary students for the purpose of making them see the world in a different way. Showing students the photos and having them try to guess what they are would be fun for the kids.In a lesson about photography, or nature, or many other options, a showing of this book would be fun. The photography is beautiful, and it is interesting to think about the tiny details of the world that are all around us, virtually unseen. Jerome Wexler does a good job with this book, for what it is. It is a book filled with beautiful photographs that do not require much explanation.… (mehr)

Sundew Stranglers is about plants that have been given the short stick in life. They've had to resort to desperate measures. Their wet and acidic habitats are nitrogen and phosphorus poor, and they must get these elements from the only thing around -- animals. While the book has Sundews in the title, some other carnivorous plants are mentioned. In the beginning, some space is allocated to picture plants, Butterworts, and the ever recognizable Venus Flytrap -- the star of Little Shop of Horrors. However, very little of the book is spent on the other carnivorous plants. The style of presentation exudes the feeling that the author truly loves them. They are fascinating, even if they seem a bit monstrous at first.

Jerome Wexler has written over forty titles on a number of biological topics, but most are about plants or plant related topics. He also has a book entirely about Venus Flytraps, a carnivorous plant everyone is familiar to. Jerome describes the distribution, life cycle, structural diversity, and the way these plants make ends meat. Time lapse photos show the plants almost elegant feeding habits. Stalked glands first capture the unfortunate insect with a sticky substance. The plant then slowly, ever so slowly folds its leaves over the insect and absorbs it. It actually takes a while for the plant to fully devour them. It's difficult not feel sorry for the poor little bugger, even though they likely have no idea of their impending doom.

The book presents a good number of high quality, vivid photos of the Sundew and other carnivorous plants. Propagation of the plant does not seem difficult either. It can be propagated in a whole host of ways. Stalk cutting, leaf cuttings, etc. Pictures of some of propagation methods are included. I think the best attraction to the book would be its pictures. I would have preferred a bit more text, but the exposition that was there was good. Overall, it's a good book to those curious about this strange plant. While it may never find its way into a flower arrangement, it is fetching in its own strange way.… (mehr)