How Not to Kill Your Plant

Magda Gargulakova has a degree in Art History and is a co-founder and also curator of the OFF/FORMAT gallery in Brno, Czech Republic, which exhibits and promotes contemporary progressive art, mostly by young artists. She worked for a time in marketing, but her love affair with books has been a long one. For OFF/FORMAT, she has edited and published several art publications. Since 2019, she has added to this experience as an editor of literature for very young readers at Albatros Media, using her two daughters for quality control.Lenka Chytilova was drawn to books and writing from a young age. It was no surprise, then, when she got a degree in Czech Language and Literature and German Translation. She has always tried to connect books and reading, her greatest hobby, with her work; she worked part-time in a bookshop for many years and she also worked as an editor and proofreader. Lenka likes classic Czech fairytales, and she loves Večerníček, the Czech television program for children’s bedtime stories. She grew up in a village in East Moravia.Hannah Abbo is a self-taught illustrator originally from Brighton, UK. When she’s not drawing, she loves making ceramics, visiting botanical gardens, and growing vegetables. She currently lives and works in Lisbon, Portugal, with her partner and child, their (slightly) overweight cat, and 15 houseplants.

• 1. BASICS OF CAREGetting to know: houseplantsGlossaryHouseplants up closeMy room with and without houseplantsWhat you will needSoil and potsWater and wateringLight and heatChoosing the right houseplant for you2. ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HOUSE PLANTSPeace lilyFiddle-leaf figMonsteraString of heartsBurgundy shamrockChinese money plantJadeCactusAloe veraUmbrella plantMoss ballPalmPolka dot begoniaPrayer plantZZ plantSnake plant3. CULTIVATION PRACTICEBuying your houseplantYour houseplant throughout the yearTransplantingTrimmingPropagationExpectation vs. realityProblemsPestsYou’re a proper carer at last!

Selected for the CBC Winter 2024 Showcase: Boredom BustersSelected for the CBC’s 2023 December Hot Off The Press Reading List"Still, this nonfiction title for kids should provide you with all the information that can help you out. And it really does. It lays down all the requirements, all the equipment, all the know-how." —Betsy Bird, School Library Journal"How Not to Kill Your Plant is a wonderful resource for children interested in houseplants or gardening, even adults with less than a green thumb! The author included so much detail! From decisions needing to be made about what daylight and care we can provide the plants, how to chose the right plants for us, house plants throughout the seasons, and much, much more! The illustrations are delightful. They are brightly colored and detail the plants wonderfully." —Cherokee Crum, YA Books Central"Do you like plants? Do you have trouble keeping them alive? This book is perfect to learn all about finicky house plants and how to best care for them to keep them alive." —Liam (age 12), Kids' Book Buzz"Delightful advice for any age! Layout, info, and attractive graphics will appeal to visual learners on how not to kill your plant!" —Andrienne C., Azusa City Library"How Not to Kill Your Plant is a fantastic houseplant care book for beginners because of its effective visual design and comprehensive information that will appeal to kids, teens, and adults." —Laila Carter, Cheltenham Township Library System"With beautiful modern illustrations and a simplistic approach to basic plant procurement and care, this is the perfect comprehensive guidebook to anyone looking to care for plants." —The Novel Neighbor, Bookseller"This was a delightful read about caring for and celebrating houseplants. Although it is categorized as a children's book, I can see myself gifting this book to an adult (along with a new plant that is featured in the book). I thought this book had great information, and the illustrations were so charming." —Margaret M., NetGalley-Reviewer"This was a cute nonfiction guide to growing and keeping plants. I liked the illustrations. This would be a great resource for kids interested in keeping plants." —Melanie G., NetGalley-Librarian