Local Author Explores the Language of Plants – River Journal Online

Rochelle Udell spoke with fellow Ossining writer Joyce Markovics about her new children’s nonfiction book, Talking Plants. Below is a Q&A with Markovics.

Rochelle Udell: This is amazing! Joyce, you have written a book about talking plants. Who is your book for?

Joyce Markovics: Kids. Specifically, elementary- and middle-school readers. I would also hope adults would find the book interesting. One gauge for a quality children’s book—if it doesn’t pique a grown-up’s interest, it will likely bore a child. Oh, and the book is packed with plant puns readers will relish.

RU: How do plants communicate? What is their language?

JM: Plants communicate in complex ways. We know they use chemicals, electrical signals, and sound. I’m mostly interested in the sound aspect, which is the focus of the book.

RU: What do plants communicate about?

JM: Lots of stuff. For example, some plants can “hear” insect enemies and then release chemicals to deter them. There are even some “killer” tomatoes that turn caterpillars into cannibals! Other plants produce more nectar if bees are buzzing nearby. Certain plants also emit sounds when they need water or are being cut. Consider that the next time your lawn is being mowed.

RU: Joyce, you have written many, many nonfiction books. Please tell us about some topics you write about?

JM: Many subject areas fascinate me. I’ve authored books about the minds of animals, the human brain, bioluminescent animals, mummies, dance, architecture, protest marches, Black filmmakers, women writers, spooky stuff, and more.

RU: When you are not writing books, what are other things that you get involved in?

JM: I’m a board member of the Ossining Historic Cemeteries Conservancy. I also co-chair the Ossining Placemaking Committee, a group committed to enhancing public spaces. For fun, I collect stuff. The weirder, the better.

RU: What is your next book(s) about that we can look forward to?

JM: Talking Plants is part of a three-book series called Huh? How Living Things Communicate. Talking Insects is the next installment, and after that, comes Talking Octopuses.

RU: Where can we find your books?

JM: susanschadtpress.com; Hudson Valley Books for Humanity, where there’s a launch event Sept. 27 at 1 pm; Amazon; Target

RU: What’s so special about living in Ossining?

JM: Its people and their connection to culture and history. In Ossining, folks care about each other and it’s palpable.