Elinor Wonders Why: The Mystery of the Zigzag Plant - (Paperback)

About the Book

"Elinor and her friends become plant detectives in this first Elinor Wonders Why picture book! When Elinor and Olive check on their class plants before leaving school for the weekend, everything looks good. But when the friends get back on Monday, they discover one of the plants has grown in a zigzag - up, then to the side, then up again. Their teacher said most plants only grow up, toward the sun. So, what happened to this one? Could it have something to do with how Ari knocked into the table - and shook the plants - when practicing his backflips? Science sleuths will love following the plant clues that grow right before their eyes!"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Elinor and her friends become plant detectives in this Elinor Wonders Why picture book for young children.

Elinor and Olive check on their class plants before they leave school for the weekend. The plants have sprouted since they were planted as seeds. Now they're one crayon tall! The friends are pleased with their progress. But when Elinor and Olive get back to school on Monday, they discover that one of the plants has grown in a zigzag - up, then to the side, then up again. Their teacher, Ms. Mole, told them most plants only grow up, toward the sun. So, what could have happened to this one?

Young children will have their curiosity piqued and their science knowledge expanded in this Elinor Wonders Why picture book, based on the Daytime Emmy-nominated PBS KIDS series of the same name created by Jorge Cham and Daniel Whiteson. By asking questions, making observations and drawing conclusions, lovable characters Elinor, Olive and Ari figure out that the pot was knocked over just before the weekend, so the plant had to change direction to keep growing up - mystery solved! Extra plant facts, a key vocabulary word and a simple activity in the back matter broaden the content. This entertaining read doubles as a resource for early life science explorations of growth and changes in plants, the needs of living things and the characteristics of living things.

Review Quotes

An adorable media tie-in graphic novel series that encourages children and their special grown-ups to use science inquiry skills while observing the glorious world around them.--School Library Journal (Praise for Elinor Wonders Why: Hiding in Plain Sight)

About the Author

Jorge Cham is an engineer-turned-cartoonist, writer and producer. He is the creator of the web comic strip Piled Higher and Deeper (PHD Comics), which he started as a graduate student at Stanford University. Together with Daniel Whiteson, Jorge created and produces the PBS KIDS series Elinor Wonders Why. Jorge and Daniel have also co-written two books for adults, We Have No Idea: A Guide to the Unknown Universe and Frequently Asked Questions About the Universe, and they host the podcast Jorge and Daniel Explain the Universe on iHeartRadio. Jorge's debut middle-grade series, Oliver and the Great Big Universe, is forthcoming from Abrams. Jorge lives in California.
Daniel Whiteson is a professor of physics at the University of California, Irvine. Together with Jorge Cham, Daniel created and produces the PBS KIDS series Elinor Wonders Why. Daniel and Jorge have also co-written two books for adults, We Have No Idea: A Guide to the Unknown Universe and Frequently Asked Questions About the Universe, and they host the podcast Jorge and Daniel Explain the Universe on iHeartRadio. Daniel lives in California.