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Young readers get down in the dirt with a friendly star-nosed mole as he shows off the different parts of his garden and some amazing creatures who live in the dirt. During this exciting tour, children discover what soil is, how it is formed, and why this substance is vital to plants, animals, and humans. Colorful art and simple text show how the soil that plants grow in differs from the soil that building foundations sit in, and help youngsters understand hwy this precious resource must be conserved.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2002
99 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 25, 2020
Genre: Informational/Non-Fiction
Grade Level: Middle Grades (4-6)
This book is filled with great information on DIRT! It's just not the black/brown stuff we made mudpies with as a child, but it's the stuff that makes life happen! Without dirt, cows wouldn't be able to give milk! How does dirt help cows? You gotta read the book! I love the illustrations and the way the author breaks down a scientific topic--microbes, sediments, Lichens, humus--just to name a few! I really liked learning about DIRT!
Grade Level: Middle Grades (4-6)
This book is filled with great information on DIRT! It's just not the black/brown stuff we made mudpies with as a child, but it's the stuff that makes life happen! Without dirt, cows wouldn't be able to give milk! How does dirt help cows? You gotta read the book! I love the illustrations and the way the author breaks down a scientific topic--microbes, sediments, Lichens, humus--just to name a few! I really liked learning about DIRT!
April 8, 2018
For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle
I think the fact that this book made dirt interesting shows how great the Jump Into Science series is. Well done.
This is a lengthy book that is text-heavy, but very educational with great pictures. The book is packed with information and is a wonderful teaching tool for children to learn the importance of dirt. Even adults can learn from this book. While it was not quite as interesting as the Earthquakes, Sun, and Moon books, this is still a very engaging and educational book. Recommended for older children or to be read over multiple sittings.
I think the fact that this book made dirt interesting shows how great the Jump Into Science series is. Well done.
This is a lengthy book that is text-heavy, but very educational with great pictures. The book is packed with information and is a wonderful teaching tool for children to learn the importance of dirt. Even adults can learn from this book. While it was not quite as interesting as the Earthquakes, Sun, and Moon books, this is still a very engaging and educational book. Recommended for older children or to be read over multiple sittings.
November 25, 2022
Genre: Informational
Grade Range: 2-6
This text is rich with information, so I believe chunking it into smaller pieces would be the way to get the most out of this book. However, it is also rich with illustrations that compliment the text and aide with understanding. There are also titles throughout the book that help organize the content and gives the reader a clue about what they'll be reading next.
Grade Range: 2-6
This text is rich with information, so I believe chunking it into smaller pieces would be the way to get the most out of this book. However, it is also rich with illustrations that compliment the text and aide with understanding. There are also titles throughout the book that help organize the content and gives the reader a clue about what they'll be reading next.
Want to read
June 7, 2019Ben's 2019 SRP prize book
November 4, 2019
Informative and great illustrations
April 29, 2024
Does a great job explaining the importance and facts about dirt.
April 10, 2025
An engaging read on why good soil matters. This picture book was a great complement to our homeschool's elementary earth science unit study. Add this book to your list of supplies for any hands-on learning activities about the geosphere, gardening, or soil conservation for kids!
March 10, 2017
Very informative.
September 11, 2016
Type of book: nonfiction/informational
Awards: none
summary: The book Dirt is about exactly what the title says which is Dirt. The book is narrated by a star nosed mole that tells the readers all about what goes on in the dirt. The book starts out with some questions to ask the reader to grab their attention. It tells the reader that there is more to dirt than just something to clean up. It tells us about the significance of the color and how it can tell the age or type of dirt, it tells us what makes up soil and the four different types. It also talks about sediments and some vocabulary associated with dirt/soil. It tells us that clay has a hard time absorbing water. The book tells the reader why it's important to plants, and animals. It tells us why worms are important, what the different layers are called and their importance, the different uses for soil, and why it's important for us.
Critique: I like that the book is told by an animal that relies on the soil. I like how each page is labeled to talk about a different use for soil or fact. I also like how it starts with questions to apply the book to the reader and to get the reader thinking. I don't like how there is a lot of information on one page. That might make the reader forget previous information. I like that it provides an activity for students to do after reading the book to apply their knowledge.
Prompts: Why do you think dirt is important?
why do you think it helps things grow?
Do you ever play in the dirt?
Can you name a different type of soil? what do we have in Georgia?
Craft activity- creating a soil ecosystem with a bottle. The activity is in the back of the book and has step by step instructions.
1) cut a bottle
2) find an organic garden area or a forest where you can dig natural soil
3)put soil in the bottle
4) sprinkle seeds in the soil and water it
5)cover the top with a cloth
6)place it near a window and see what happens
The students can write about what they see each week as they observe what happens.
Awards: none
summary: The book Dirt is about exactly what the title says which is Dirt. The book is narrated by a star nosed mole that tells the readers all about what goes on in the dirt. The book starts out with some questions to ask the reader to grab their attention. It tells the reader that there is more to dirt than just something to clean up. It tells us about the significance of the color and how it can tell the age or type of dirt, it tells us what makes up soil and the four different types. It also talks about sediments and some vocabulary associated with dirt/soil. It tells us that clay has a hard time absorbing water. The book tells the reader why it's important to plants, and animals. It tells us why worms are important, what the different layers are called and their importance, the different uses for soil, and why it's important for us.
Critique: I like that the book is told by an animal that relies on the soil. I like how each page is labeled to talk about a different use for soil or fact. I also like how it starts with questions to apply the book to the reader and to get the reader thinking. I don't like how there is a lot of information on one page. That might make the reader forget previous information. I like that it provides an activity for students to do after reading the book to apply their knowledge.
Prompts: Why do you think dirt is important?
why do you think it helps things grow?
Do you ever play in the dirt?
Can you name a different type of soil? what do we have in Georgia?
Craft activity- creating a soil ecosystem with a bottle. The activity is in the back of the book and has step by step instructions.
1) cut a bottle
2) find an organic garden area or a forest where you can dig natural soil
3)put soil in the bottle
4) sprinkle seeds in the soil and water it
5)cover the top with a cloth
6)place it near a window and see what happens
The students can write about what they see each week as they observe what happens.
October 22, 2012
Content: Earth Science
Grade: 3
Who would think dirt can be so interesting? Who would think dirt is so essential to earth and animals? This book covers it all. It tells you everything you may need to know about dirt. It tells about the different types of dirt, what makes up soil, what lives in soil, and how soil helps things grow. This book would be great to read to the class if you're already thinking about having the class to grow some plants, and what do you know? The end of the book shows you how to grow a plant using what you just read!
Grade: 3
Who would think dirt can be so interesting? Who would think dirt is so essential to earth and animals? This book covers it all. It tells you everything you may need to know about dirt. It tells about the different types of dirt, what makes up soil, what lives in soil, and how soil helps things grow. This book would be great to read to the class if you're already thinking about having the class to grow some plants, and what do you know? The end of the book shows you how to grow a plant using what you just read!
June 10, 2016
This book is well laid out and suitable for 3rd grade readers. It has a lot of detailed information. Use with computer illustrations of dirt horizons and consider showing a 1' square cube as a ice breaker asking the students how many things they think could live in the area (300,000). You can tie in science questions such as soil ph and growing needs of plants, germ demonstrations or a worm farm. There is so many things that can be done with this that I think you could spend 2-3 weeks just on the concepts presented here.
November 7, 2016
A look at dirt, the different kinds of soil, and why soil is important to living things.
This does a fantastic job with some introductory geology terms. It introduces the technical names for different particle sizes, how the soil builds up over time through erosion and transportation of particles, and the typical layers of dirt and why it is important to know which kind of soil is in an area before building. If you're doing a geology unit, this is a great resource.
This does a fantastic job with some introductory geology terms. It introduces the technical names for different particle sizes, how the soil builds up over time through erosion and transportation of particles, and the typical layers of dirt and why it is important to know which kind of soil is in an area before building. If you're doing a geology unit, this is a great resource.
March 18, 2013
Very informational. You could use this book to assist children in their learning of dirt. It teaches about different dirt, how it is made, and it uses. It also teaches about how the soil is taken care of by insects and the effects of soil on our lives. This book would lend itself nicely as part of a unit about soil, insects, or the earth.
October 9, 2013
this is a cute book. it is a long, but easy read. this is something I would have kids read on their own. or split it up in different reading times. at the end of the book, it includes instructions for making an ecosystem. this is a great detail book about dirt and the different things it does, reasons for it, and what you can find in it. very nice book with awesome pictures.
November 14, 2012
my daughter checked this out from the library at school ... she's 7. and she enjoyed this book as i read it to her. it explains how dirt is formed. why its important. things that live in and off the dirt. pretty good book. i even learned a few things.
August 19, 2010
Simple, easily-understandable text about the different types of soil and how they all contribute to sustainability on earth.
Used for "What a Mess!" Storytime-October, 2010.
Used for "What a Mess!" Storytime-October, 2010.
September 30, 2011
Great for a unit study of dirt at a young easy to understand level.
Read
December 5, 2011This is a fun book that i would recommend to teachers because it tells a story while being informative. It does not inform but teach students of dirt. Great science book.
February 25, 2013
Grade level: 3rd/4th
Content Level: Earth Science - Dirt (Types of Soils)
Content Level: Earth Science - Dirt (Types of Soils)
March 18, 2013
Dirt! It's everywhere! Have you ever wondered what makes dirt or what things can live in dirt? This book answers those questions for you with great illustrations and facts.
Read
June 18, 2013EWTWOL Soil and Water
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September 27, 2013A mole guides you through the world beneath your feet and teaches the importance of soil.
February 12, 2014
Great picture book explaining everything you could want to know about dirt. Very informative and fun.
July 9, 2014
Loving all the colors and pictures. The illustrations are amazing. As for dirt, I definitely learned some new stuff! The ending is definitely my favorite part. Cute book!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews