"This is a stunning beauty of a book, which would be perfect either as a present for yourself or someone else."
This is a stunning beauty of a book, which would be perfect either as a present for yourself or someone else. It is contained within lovely packaging with the gorgeous book cover peeking out at you. Author Dr Chris Thorogood, the Deputy Director and Head of Science at Oxford Botanic garden and Harcourt Arboretum, has chosen over 50 topical plants, with detail of their origins and special features. The book tells us that: “Two of the most extraordinary Victorian glasshouses in the world are the Palm House and the Temperate House at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, from whose archives the images in this book have been selected”. What really sets this book apart is that the top part of the illustration can actually be pressed out of the page, so that each plant stands out and creates, when the book is opened, a stunning visual spectacle. The instructions are clear and concise, and I took great enjoyment in pressing out the pages to discover my own hothouse. This is truly delightful, and you really do have to see it to truly appreciate the beauty.
| Primary Genre | Gardens (descriptions, history etc) |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
Wow. What a beautiful book. It felt like a treat to have this on our table.
Wow. What a beautiful book. I really couldn't put down all the great things it just wouldn't do it justice. It's informative yet in a really well thought out way that makes it all the more fun. The pop-ups a genius idea and every time you walk past you want to look and find out about a new picture. They should be doing this with other topics like geography or biology. It felt like a treat to have this on our table. I would recommend this to everyone.... Read Full Review
This book is one to treasure. I read it and learned, then I pressed out the plants, what I held in my hands was an artwork of rare distinction.
I was excited to have been selected to review this book, I couldn’t wait for it to arrive. When the Post lady handed me I was surprised it was so small, I had expected a “Coffee Table” book.
On opening the parcel, seeing the slipcover I knew I was seeing something unusual. The colours were dazzling, I took the book out and went slowly through its pages. Each plant had botanic details and a beautiful picture of each plant plus a written description of each.
I read the instructions to carefully press out the white card, revealing the plants' true beauty. It took me four days to press out each plant, I did not want to damage or spoil the illustration, gradually each plant came to life.... Read Full Review
A truly beautiful book of the highest quality. A marvellous gift for any plant or flower lover, or indeed any lover of fantastically original books.
The very first thing you notice about this book is the quality. It comes in a beautifully vibrant slipcase and then the cover itself is also glorious. The initial pages show you how to set the book up and then we get to the detail.
Each page has an exquisite drawing of a flower or plant, with lots of interesting information about it. Then, here’s the clever bit, you can push away some of the cardboard (the pages are deliberately very thick) to reveal the plant more fully. I must advise taking your time with this and then carefully ‘rubbing down’ the pointy bits, as you want this to look as wonderful as it can be.... Read Full Review
