Botanicum
Curated by Katie Scott and Kathy Willis
ISBN: 978-1-78370-394-4
Published by Big Picture Press/Bonnier Publishing

Please note – I make no apology for the frequency, or the extent of my gushing over Katie Scott and Kathy Willis’s book – Botanicum – I love this book, I hope you will love it too.

I sat back in sheer awe and wonder as I read Botanicum, this is a truly beautiful book,  filled with the most captivating and enchanting art work, which perfectly depicts the fascinating information about the plant kingdom that’s given in this special book.  Botanicum held me spellbound.  Katie Scott’s botanical illustrations will touch, warm, and gladden your heart with their magical beauty.

Botanicum is written by Kathy Willis.  Professor Kathy Willis is the Director of Science at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the Professor of Biodiversity, at the University of Oxford.  Katie Scott and Kathy Willis’s collaboration for Botanicum is inspired, together they convey the wonder, diversity, and majesty of the plant kingdom in all its glory.

Professor Kathy Willis refers to her book Botanicum as a museum.  The first page of the book is referred to as an entrance, the following pages are galleries, and finally at the end of the book, is the library.

Katie Scott’s awe-inspiring botanical illustrations adorn Botanicum, each and every page is a beautiful masterpiece.   I am certain that Katie Scott’s botanical artwork will delight, engage, and inspire readers of all ages.  I am a huge fan of Katie Scott, her artistry is mesmerising.   Botanicum‘s illustrations unveil the beauty and wonder of our natural world, inspiring readers to discover and appreciate the fascinating life of plants.

Botanicum opens with some of the first plants to develop and colonise the earth, and moves onwards to look at the evolution and further development of plants on Earth.  Botanicum features plants from every region of the Earth, from the very beginning of life on Earth, to the present day, depicted beautifully in both captivating imagery and informative text.

Through reading Botanicum, you can gain an insight into how plants have evolved, and how plants are able to protect themselves from predators.  Readers can discover some of the symbiotic relationships held by plants, and some of the remarkable ways in which plants take nourishment and store water.

In reading Botanicum you can discover plants that thrive in a variety of diverse environments, from plants that grow in rainforests, to plants that grow in deserts, to aquatic plants that grow and colonise saline and fresh water areas.  Botanicum invites its readers to embark on a plant discovery adventure, learning how plants have adapted to grow and thrive in a diverse range of conditions and environments.

Botanicum is a wonderfully large book, with large text.  If you’re looking for a special book to read with your children, Botanicum would make an ideal book to read together, consequently it would make a wonderful gift for a family.

Botanicum is quite the most enchanting book.  I feel Botanicum would be a wonderful gift to a recipient of any age, or horticultural experience, Botanicum is a book that is a real delight to share.

I hope this special, and quite magical book will inspire the horticulturists of the future, and encourage everyone to explore and appreciate the joy and wonder of our plant kingdom, and to take more care of our beautiful natural world.  Botanicum is certain to bring joy to gardeners of all ages and experience.

Botanicum was produced in consultation with plant and fungal experts at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.  Limited edition and Collector’s editions of Botanicum are also available to purchase.

Here’s a link where you can find out more about this lovely book, and you can also purchase a copy of Botanicium if you wish to.

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