The True Nature of Weeds introduces 15 wild plants unfairly described as weeds. The book is presented in two parts: 1. a discovery guide, rich in information on these plants: • their life cycle and anatomy • their winning strategies • their history and geographical origin • their uses: edibility and medicinal aspects • beliefs and anecdotes about them 2. a botanical notebook which suggests: • making your herbarium • preparing culinary recipes and medicinal potions • doing activities related to French, mathematics, English and visual arts • questioning adults The True Nature of Weeds is aimed at: • children aged 9 to 12, at school or at home • primary school teachers • parents • grandparents To all those who like to be active in nature, very close to home or school, alone or in a group. Its originality comes from the fact that it: • aims to make unloved plants loved; • is enhanced with numerous photos and illustrations; • develops a keen sense of environmental protection; • creates links with certain lifestyle habits of the First Peoples; • forces us to reflect on what leads us to classify plants, and even humans, as good and bad. This book is a complementary tool in primary schools and a practical guide for all parents and grandparents who want to tame nature as a family. The author ROGER LARIVIERE is a retired biologist, passionate since his early childhood about all aspects of nature. He became interested in the uses of plants by the First Peoples by publishing in 2013 a book written with the collaboration of the Algonquin community of Pikogan, near Amos in Abitibi and a second book in 2015: Edible and medicinal plants of the boreal forest. He is also a speaker and trainer.
