“That’s It! Said the Dandelion” is a lovely picture book that follows the life cycle of a dandelion, but this dandelion has a little identity crisis and isn’t quite sure what it is supposed to be. The story follows a gentle pattern where, on each page, the ever-changing dandelion thinks it has finally figured itself out — “That’s it! I must be…” — a repeated line that gives the story rhythm and predictability.
The story is simple and measured, with beautiful illustrations that help to tell the story alongside the text. The artwork is a huge part of the book’s charm, giving young readers plenty to notice and talk about while encouraging them to slow down and observe the natural world. Some of the illustrations have a textured finish, adding a lovely sensory element to the reading experience. I read this book with my junior infants and they were completely engaged by both the story and the illustrations. They loved being “Nosy Noticers,” spotting small details on each page.
I would use this book in the classroom as part of a spring theme, linking it to science work on plants and life cycles. The book finishes with a few dandelion facts, which makes it easy to extend into science discussions and follow-up learning. It would also inspire lovely art activities or outdoor learning experiences. I would recommend it for children aged about 4–6, especially for shared reading with plenty of conversation along the way.
I really liked this book, and my class gave it a score of 8 out of 10.
by Anne Gillespie
“That’s It! Said the Dandelion” by Nicola Reidy and illustrated by Róisín Hahessy, published by O’ Brien Press, is now on sale for €14.99 (H/B).
Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher, O’ Brien Press, free of charge to Seomra Ranga for the purposes of this review.
