Digging On Dirt

by Rena Korb Narrated by Robert Rance

Overview

Learn about the dirt in these easy-to-read books. The soil and its plants, animals, and humus are explained with simple text and matching illustrations. A science activity, fun facts section, glossary, and index aid students in learning about the dirt below them. Special thanks to content consultant Paul Bloom Ph.D.,

Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2- Most teachers will agree that bringing complicated topics to a young audience is not easy, and Korb does it with mixed results. Air discusses the qualities of the substance and its benefits to humans, the atmosphere, and pollution. Unfortunately, the book oversimplifies the answer to the question, "What holds an airplane in the sky?" by responding with, "Air is even strong enough to hold up an airplane!" Henry Pluckrose's Air (Gareth Stevens, 2001) is a better choice. Clouds is the best of the bunch, but there are many other great choices available on the topic, including Tomie dePaola's The Cloud Book (Holiday House, 1975). Dirt explains the necessity of soil, the different types, and how they are formed. Its text is a step up from Air 's, but in one of the illustrations, an ATV is being driven through a sprouting field, leaving readers to wonder if fragile plants are being damaged. Alice K. Flanagan's Rocks and Soil (both Compass Point, 2000) are better choices. The format is consistent throughout the books-each spread contains one or two short paragraphs in a large font. The illustrations are bright and bold, but, although fun, do not contribute to the information. Overall, the simplified writing in these volumes may leave readers with more questions than answers, and some of the illustrations can be misleading.-Stephanie Farnlacher, Trace Crossings Elementary School, Hoover, AL

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171399313
Publisher:	Abdo Publishing Group
Publication date:	01/01/2008
Series:	Science Rocks! Set 1
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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