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Over and Under
Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt
In this exuberant and lyrical addition to the award-winning Over and Under series, emerging readers will delight in discovering the wonders that lie hidden between stalks, under the shade of leaves, and down in the dirt.
From the author-illustrator team behind Over and Under the Snow and Over and Under the Pond .
Explore the secret realm beneath the dirt that brings the world of nature to Follow a young girl and her grandmother on a journey through the year planning, planting, and harvesting their garden—and learn about what's happening in the dirt to help make it all happen.
Up in the garden, the world is full of green—leaves and sprouts, growing vegetables, ripening fruit. But down in the dirt exists a busy world—earthworms dig, snakes hunt, skunks burrow—populated by all the creatures that make a garden their home.
These secrets and many others are waiting to be discovered up in the garden and down in the dirt in this sweet children’s book from Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal, the latest in their beloved series that offers kids a peek into hidden ecosystems.
ENTERTAINING AND Beautiful illustrations paired with an easy-to-follow storyline make this a great read for any early elementary school student, while a glossary of animals that live in, around, and under the garden enriches the reading experience.
INSPIRES A LOVE A Offering a look inside a hidden and bustling underground ecosystem, this gorgeously illustrated book encourages children to explore the world around them and appreciate the natural wonders they discover.
A FIVE-STAR FAVORITE OF READERS & "The harmonious relationships above and below ground, and those between the two, emphasize the complexities of the garden ecosystem, as well as the joys of sustained engagement with the land."— The Horn Book Magazine ; "Offers excellent coming attractions for what youngsters can expect when they try to grow something." — Reading Today
Perfect
From the author-illustrator team behind Over and Under the Snow and Over and Under the Pond .
Explore the secret realm beneath the dirt that brings the world of nature to Follow a young girl and her grandmother on a journey through the year planning, planting, and harvesting their garden—and learn about what's happening in the dirt to help make it all happen.
Up in the garden, the world is full of green—leaves and sprouts, growing vegetables, ripening fruit. But down in the dirt exists a busy world—earthworms dig, snakes hunt, skunks burrow—populated by all the creatures that make a garden their home.
These secrets and many others are waiting to be discovered up in the garden and down in the dirt in this sweet children’s book from Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal, the latest in their beloved series that offers kids a peek into hidden ecosystems.
ENTERTAINING AND Beautiful illustrations paired with an easy-to-follow storyline make this a great read for any early elementary school student, while a glossary of animals that live in, around, and under the garden enriches the reading experience.
INSPIRES A LOVE A Offering a look inside a hidden and bustling underground ecosystem, this gorgeously illustrated book encourages children to explore the world around them and appreciate the natural wonders they discover.
A FIVE-STAR FAVORITE OF READERS & "The harmonious relationships above and below ground, and those between the two, emphasize the complexities of the garden ecosystem, as well as the joys of sustained engagement with the land."— The Horn Book Magazine ; "Offers excellent coming attractions for what youngsters can expect when they try to grow something." — Reading Today
Perfect
56 pages, Hardcover
First published February 24, 2015
25 people are currently reading
1763 people want to read
About the author
Kate Messner
127 books1,642 followersKate Messner is an award-winning author, TED 2012 speaker, and former middle school English teacher. Her books for kids include THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z.,SUGAR AND ICE, and EYE OF THE STORM (Walker/Bloomsbury Dec. 2010) the MARTY MCGUIRE series (Scholastic), SEA MONSTER'S FIRST DAY, and OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW (Chronicle, Books). Kate also wrote SPITFIRE and CHAMPLAIN AND THE SILENT ONE, both Lake Champlain historical novels published by North Country Books.
Kate lives with her family on Lake Champlain, where she loves to read, write, hike, swing on birch trees, and eat chocolate. She also hangs out in various places online.
Visit Kate's website: http://www.katemessner.com
Find Kate on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/KateMessner
...or follow her on Twitter - @katemessner
Kate lives with her family on Lake Champlain, where she loves to read, write, hike, swing on birch trees, and eat chocolate. She also hangs out in various places online.
Visit Kate's website: http://www.katemessner.com
Find Kate on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/KateMessner
...or follow her on Twitter - @katemessner
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 359 reviews
August 15, 2015
Up in the garden, I stand and plan - my hands full of seeds and my head full of dreams.
I have a lot to say about this book.
It is about a girl (7 or 8) who gardens with her grandma.
This is the loose "sequel" to Over and Under the Snow. This is much more "gross" and "creepy-crawly" because it focuses mainly on insects and spiders; unlike Over and Under the Snow which had lots of cuddly and cute mammals.
...
The words are wonderful and I think the beautiful story explains gardening in a poetic way.
Up in the garden, carrot plants sprout. Pea blossoms bloom. Wasps are on the prowl, and honeybees visit, legs loaded with pollen.
There are things that bother me about the text, though. For instance, Messner refers to cucumbers as "cukes." I don't like that.
...
Let's talk about the illustrations. They are gorgeous, rich and fascinating. There's so much to discover on every page, and Neal does a great job of bringing the outdoors to life.
That being said, I was annoyed with Neal's portrayal of the grandma. She literally looks like a 20-year-old with silver hair. She has no wrinkles on her face, she has long, gorgeous silky-smooth legs, she is very sexy. She is a GILF. Now. I don't mind illustrators promoting "sexy at any age," but I feel like this Hollywood version of beauty and unrealistic expectations in re: aging is very sick. There's no way a grandma of an 8-year-old girl is going to look like a smooth, unblemished, svelte 17-year-old. It's VERY important that we teach our children that old does not mean 'ugly.'
Seriously. This is a real problem. I have to discuss it with kids all the time. For instance, I showed the film Howl's Moving Castle to a bunch of children. I couldn't believe the chorus of "ew"s and "she's ugly!" that erupted when Sophie gets cursed to be old.
I stopped the film. I literally got up, and stopped the film.
"Listen," I told the children. "This woman is not ugly. She is in her late 80s or 90s! She is not ugly, she is old! What do you think YOU'RE going to look like when you are 85 or 90? Hmmmmm? Old people don't look the same as younger people, but that doesn't mean they are ugly!"
Anyway, I hope it sunk in to at least a few little heads. (LOL) This is a big issue for me, and Hollywood is definitely not helping by featuring older actors and actresses who have obviously had a lot of work done on their faces and bodies in order to "keep looking young." I don't need this book adding to that damaging message. You're fucking lucky if you grow old. You should be thanking God (or congratulating yourself) for having survived this long. There's NOTHING shameful about getting old, getting wrinkly, and not being as svelte as you once were. Jeez Louise.
...
The book includes an Author's Note in the back which explains how insects help improve a garden. Messner also includes a Further Reading list where you can find more books on this topic. And, just as in Over and Under the Snow, she includes an index in which all the animals (16 in total, mainly bugs) are discussed. For example:
You might think of chickens as farm animals, but more and more families are keeping them at home. These backyard pets do double duty, laying eggs for their owners and eating bugs, kitchen scraps, and weeds. Chicken manure makes excellent compost.
This is certainly true! My aunt has chickens and one could hardly say she lives on a farm. And you should see the babies and younger children react when you open the coop and let the chickens run around the yard. This is a big hit. And nothing is better than fresh eggs.
Actually, this index section is very fascinating and I learned a lot! I learned that pill bugs (roly-polies) are not bugs, they're crustaceans! I also enjoyed reading about Daddy-Long-Legs (some call them Harvestmen) and bats. Oh, and garter snakes! Yay!
The end papers are very nice, with black line drawings of different flowers and vegetables.
Tl;dr - Although quite different from Over and Under the Snow, this gorgeous book would be a welcome addition to any library, public or personal. Despite my caveats mentioned in this review, I enjoyed the book overall - not only was it gorgeous, but I learned a few things.
Ages 4-6
Not available in Spanish.
I have a lot to say about this book.
It is about a girl (7 or 8) who gardens with her grandma.
This is the loose "sequel" to Over and Under the Snow. This is much more "gross" and "creepy-crawly" because it focuses mainly on insects and spiders; unlike Over and Under the Snow which had lots of cuddly and cute mammals.
...
The words are wonderful and I think the beautiful story explains gardening in a poetic way.
Up in the garden, carrot plants sprout. Pea blossoms bloom. Wasps are on the prowl, and honeybees visit, legs loaded with pollen.
There are things that bother me about the text, though. For instance, Messner refers to cucumbers as "cukes." I don't like that.
...
Let's talk about the illustrations. They are gorgeous, rich and fascinating. There's so much to discover on every page, and Neal does a great job of bringing the outdoors to life.
That being said, I was annoyed with Neal's portrayal of the grandma. She literally looks like a 20-year-old with silver hair. She has no wrinkles on her face, she has long, gorgeous silky-smooth legs, she is very sexy. She is a GILF. Now. I don't mind illustrators promoting "sexy at any age," but I feel like this Hollywood version of beauty and unrealistic expectations in re: aging is very sick. There's no way a grandma of an 8-year-old girl is going to look like a smooth, unblemished, svelte 17-year-old. It's VERY important that we teach our children that old does not mean 'ugly.'
Seriously. This is a real problem. I have to discuss it with kids all the time. For instance, I showed the film Howl's Moving Castle to a bunch of children. I couldn't believe the chorus of "ew"s and "she's ugly!" that erupted when Sophie gets cursed to be old.
I stopped the film. I literally got up, and stopped the film.
"Listen," I told the children. "This woman is not ugly. She is in her late 80s or 90s! She is not ugly, she is old! What do you think YOU'RE going to look like when you are 85 or 90? Hmmmmm? Old people don't look the same as younger people, but that doesn't mean they are ugly!"
Anyway, I hope it sunk in to at least a few little heads. (LOL) This is a big issue for me, and Hollywood is definitely not helping by featuring older actors and actresses who have obviously had a lot of work done on their faces and bodies in order to "keep looking young." I don't need this book adding to that damaging message. You're fucking lucky if you grow old. You should be thanking God (or congratulating yourself) for having survived this long. There's NOTHING shameful about getting old, getting wrinkly, and not being as svelte as you once were. Jeez Louise.
...
The book includes an Author's Note in the back which explains how insects help improve a garden. Messner also includes a Further Reading list where you can find more books on this topic. And, just as in Over and Under the Snow, she includes an index in which all the animals (16 in total, mainly bugs) are discussed. For example:
You might think of chickens as farm animals, but more and more families are keeping them at home. These backyard pets do double duty, laying eggs for their owners and eating bugs, kitchen scraps, and weeds. Chicken manure makes excellent compost.
This is certainly true! My aunt has chickens and one could hardly say she lives on a farm. And you should see the babies and younger children react when you open the coop and let the chickens run around the yard. This is a big hit. And nothing is better than fresh eggs.
Actually, this index section is very fascinating and I learned a lot! I learned that pill bugs (roly-polies) are not bugs, they're crustaceans! I also enjoyed reading about Daddy-Long-Legs (some call them Harvestmen) and bats. Oh, and garter snakes! Yay!
The end papers are very nice, with black line drawings of different flowers and vegetables.
Tl;dr - Although quite different from Over and Under the Snow, this gorgeous book would be a welcome addition to any library, public or personal. Despite my caveats mentioned in this review, I enjoyed the book overall - not only was it gorgeous, but I learned a few things.
Ages 4-6
Not available in Spanish.
October 22, 2019
First and foremost, Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt represents a both textual and visual celebration of gardening (and how engaging in the latter as a team cements a strong and sweet teacher/mentor relationship and bond between Nana and her young granddaughter), as well as and for me absolutely most importantly a wonderful demonstration by author Kate Messner of how the natural fauna in or near a garden often helps gardeners and yes indeed, that insects, worms etc. are not all and sundry destructive pests, that many insects and worms such pill bugs, earth worms and ants actually very much help the soil and that other insects like mantises prey on those insects that are or can be a problem to or for gardens (not to mention that many bird species, bats, skunks and snakes are also great natural pest controls that should always be welcomed in a garden and yes generally used instead of chemical pesticides, with the only mechanical method the grandmother does make use of in Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt being that she sprays water at aphids, which actually works surprisingly well and also of course waters the garden).
A wonderful and delightfully engaging reading experience is Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, with Kate Messner’s informative supplemental details (an author’s note, bibliography and extra facts about the animal species encountered) presenting a much appreciated added bonus. And the only reason why I am ranking Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt with three and not four or five stars if that personally, I have found Christopher Silas Neal’s accompanying artwork, while indeed colourful and expressive, sometimes a trifle overly exaggerated and visually not to scale (and which I have found especially problematic with regard to how Neal has drawn the garter snake pouncing on a grasshopper, for honestly, there are far far too many who are scared of snakes and to have a totally non venomous and mild mannered garter snake illustrated like some serpent monster with protruding fangs just feels in my opinion a bit irresponsible).
A wonderful and delightfully engaging reading experience is Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, with Kate Messner’s informative supplemental details (an author’s note, bibliography and extra facts about the animal species encountered) presenting a much appreciated added bonus. And the only reason why I am ranking Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt with three and not four or five stars if that personally, I have found Christopher Silas Neal’s accompanying artwork, while indeed colourful and expressive, sometimes a trifle overly exaggerated and visually not to scale (and which I have found especially problematic with regard to how Neal has drawn the garter snake pouncing on a grasshopper, for honestly, there are far far too many who are scared of snakes and to have a totally non venomous and mild mannered garter snake illustrated like some serpent monster with protruding fangs just feels in my opinion a bit irresponsible).
March 20, 2015
If you don't already have Over and Under the Snow - what are you waiting for? And now as you are ordering that, there will likely be a suggestion to order Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt as well. Do it. These two books are great additions to the 1st-4th grade classrooms, rich with details about the animals/insects mentioned. In this book a young girl is eager to start her garden, but learns that there is much that goes on underneath the ground for the soil to be prepared for growing. In the style of Steve Jenkins, the author shares some factual information about every creature mentioned at the end of the book, so students come away with an understanding as rich as the fertile ground.
As a side note, I've used Over and Under the Snow with several grades, and recently created a Readers' Theater in which we tied the factual evidence right into the body of the story. Each student had an animal they were responsible for learning about (using the facts in the back), and reported what they learned as the Readers' Theater went on. I'm sure this book will lend itself to the same, and will fit into our second grades' study of earthworms.
As a side note, I've used Over and Under the Snow with several grades, and recently created a Readers' Theater in which we tied the factual evidence right into the body of the story. Each student had an animal they were responsible for learning about (using the facts in the back), and reported what they learned as the Readers' Theater went on. I'm sure this book will lend itself to the same, and will fit into our second grades' study of earthworms.
March 9, 2015
Lovely mixed media illustrations highlight the pleasures of gardening, revealing the passage of time and all the activities that are occurring beneath the surface of the soil. From checking the soil for its readiness for planting to planting seeds and plants to harvesting them and then on to the winter again, readers will surely enjoy observing as "a whole new garden sleeps down in the dirt" (unpaged). Anticipating each phase in the growing season adds to the delights of examining this book as do the thumbnail sketches describing the animals that are so helpful in making sure the garden is healthy. I also liked the Author's Note tribute to those unsung heroes whose efforts mean that all gardens are community gardens. This one is a must-have for all science classrooms.
March 10, 2017
A educational way to learn about gardening, plants, the bugs in the yard, and birds!
March 14, 2015
A delightful paring of descriptions of gardening by humans and insects etc who work below the dirt with their own preparations while the humans work above (and even play with hoses). The illustrations are rich in color and content, lots of browns and greens, close-ups of plants, animals and humans. Very engaging. Back matter gives details about all of the bugs, etc that are described and the final end pages illustrate flowers while the opening ones illustrate vegetables. Lots included here in a very attractive way.
August 2, 2021
Meaningful illustrations.
Informative garden world.
I wish picture/storybooks were a bit longer like this one.
Love it.
Informative garden world.
I wish picture/storybooks were a bit longer like this one.
Love it.
March 22, 2019
This, the second book in the Over and Under series by Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal, isn't as strong as the first. I found it too wordy, and yet somehow not as informative. Like Over and Under the Snow, this book also features endnotes, but they didn't seem as engaging. (Maybe I'm just not a fan of insects; that's the main focus of this book.)
The illustrations didn't impress me, either. I expected them to be similar to those in Over and Under the Snow, and I guess they were to a certain extent. But they also seemed a bit rougher, somehow, with fewer clean lines (especially on the human characters).
So this book was a bit of a disappointment. It would still make a nice companion to Over and Under the Snow (as well as, possibly, the third book, which I haven't had a chance to read yet)... but on its own, it's a little weak and a bit boring. Kids who are really into bugs might love it, though.
The illustrations didn't impress me, either. I expected them to be similar to those in Over and Under the Snow, and I guess they were to a certain extent. But they also seemed a bit rougher, somehow, with fewer clean lines (especially on the human characters).
So this book was a bit of a disappointment. It would still make a nice companion to Over and Under the Snow (as well as, possibly, the third book, which I haven't had a chance to read yet)... but on its own, it's a little weak and a bit boring. Kids who are really into bugs might love it, though.
May 20, 2015
Yo--Caldecott dopes!
THIS is the sort of book that should be getting the Medal.
It's not trendy--it's a fabulous, non-fiction picture book with enough story to make it readable.
And ART! Have you folks noted that your award is for ART?
Incredible, detailed art by an award winning illustrator who knows his stuff.
P.S. The "further reading" books in the back? You and yours should take a look at those too. They're also books by people your committee never seems to notice.
But then, in the immortal words of Robert Heinlein "A committee is a life form with six or more legs and no brain."
You certainly have met those standards in recent years...
THIS is the sort of book that should be getting the Medal.
It's not trendy--it's a fabulous, non-fiction picture book with enough story to make it readable.
And ART! Have you folks noted that your award is for ART?
Incredible, detailed art by an award winning illustrator who knows his stuff.
P.S. The "further reading" books in the back? You and yours should take a look at those too. They're also books by people your committee never seems to notice.
But then, in the immortal words of Robert Heinlein "A committee is a life form with six or more legs and no brain."
You certainly have met those standards in recent years...
Read
August 27, 2020Young readers can learn all about the plants that grow in a garden and all the creatures that dwell below the soil. Detailed illustrations will have children coming back again and again. Enjoy this one now by checking out a copy on Mymcpl.org or searching for it on Overdrive! - Reviewed by Stephanie at MCPL Reading Rocket
April 13, 2015
A gardening story told from two perspectives: below the ground and above the ground.
Back matter includes an author's note, further reading list, and brief paragraphs of information about all of the creatures that appeared in the book.
The mixed media illustrations give readers plenty to discover and do a great job of inspiring interest in outdoor exploration, digging in the dirt etc.
Highly recommended for use with PreK-2, especially in daycare and preschool classrooms and as a book to supplement nature programming.
Back matter includes an author's note, further reading list, and brief paragraphs of information about all of the creatures that appeared in the book.
The mixed media illustrations give readers plenty to discover and do a great job of inspiring interest in outdoor exploration, digging in the dirt etc.
Highly recommended for use with PreK-2, especially in daycare and preschool classrooms and as a book to supplement nature programming.
March 30, 2015
Although I'm generally not a big fan of the dark, muted color schemes and 70's-style illustrations that seem to be trending right now, this was a very clever treatment of the typical "gardening" theme. There was a nice, lyrical flow to the language and a ton of great information to be found in this non-fiction title. Too complex for toddlers, but might be fun to share with older preschoolers and young elementary grades.
October 9, 2019
Ever wonder what happens underground when a garden is just stirring to life in the spring, or bedding down for the winter? Kate Messner's interesting picture book explores plant and animal life that we don't even see or suspect, all the things that insects do to keep the earth healthy, aerated, and fertilized. Will fascinate young reader-gardeners "up in the garden" who have no idea what's going on in the world "down in the dirt."
March 12, 2016
I don't know where to begin. This is so much more than meets the eye at first glance. The illustrations, the story, the time lapse, the beautiful descriptive words, the love that emits from the child and her grandmother, the information, the list of books to read more, the glossary that is SO much more than a glossary!!!!! Why isn't everyone reading this book?????? I give it 10 **********!
May 1, 2015
An upstairs-downstairs view of a garden. A grandma shows her granddaughter how life unfolds over the course of a year. Illustrations are a plus.
February 27, 2018
Even I learned some things of who lives down in the dirt. This is a wonderful story of gardening, seasons and all who live there.
September 30, 2019
Perfect book to read to the kids as we start the fall garden.
April 29, 2015
From the muddy days of early spring through moonlit autumn nights, a little girl and her Nana plant, tend and enjoy their garden. Insects and animals do their part, too, stirring the soil, eating pests and pollinating plants. Kate Messner's vivid descriptions of cool, crumbly earth, hot sun, and summer breezes will have readers itching to get their hands dirty.
Reviewed for the Baltimore Sun, March 2015.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/...
Reviewed for the Baltimore Sun, March 2015.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/...
March 26, 2015
The perfect book for looking at a garden from spring until the fall harvest. The alternating pages above (light) and below ground (dark background) give readers a look at both sides of the dirt- the work people do to plant and the animals below that survive below. Included are some additional details on the critters and creatures below.
March 7, 2018
We enjoyed this look at many of the different types of things in nature that go on in one garden over the course of a year. Lovely illustrations too. Full review:
https://www.theproblemsite.com/book-s...
https://www.theproblemsite.com/book-s...
November 27, 2019
I am a terrible gardener but it makes me so happy, and I have been looking for a book about the joy in it to share with my kids. They are 7 and 5 and love bugs and plants and leaves and pine cones. This book is gorgeous and sweet and just a smidge dark, and I think it will be perfect.
July 29, 2015
Cute book about the cycle of a garden above the soil and below during the four seasons. Loved the use of personification and prepositions!
August 31, 2018
Kate Messner is SO GOOD at nonfiction picture books!
April 3, 2021
This was such a sweet story of a little girl gardening with her Nana. As she keeps gardening, she tells us all about the different insects and birds that co-exist with them in their garden and tells about what they do. The artwork is so stunning and mesmerizing! Definitely made me nostalgic. This book will be a perfect gift for young childen!
April 4, 2021
Labai graži knygutė mažiesiems sodininkams ir ne tik. Skaitosi greitai ir įdomiai.
April 13, 2017
Absolutely delightful. I love the amount of detail in the illustrations.
Notes on representation: The female protagonist and her grandmother appear to be white. No other human characters.
Notes on representation: The female protagonist and her grandmother appear to be white. No other human characters.
February 5, 2025
3rd grade visit paired with garden bingo = a hit!
June 8, 2015
Library Journal
Gr 1-3-Beneath every garden lies a secret world down in the dirt. In this enchanting follow-up to Over and Under the Snow (Chronicle, 2011), Messner explores that underground realm. This yearlong adventure begins early in spring, with a young girl learning from her grandmother that the soil is still too cold and wet to begin planting. The pair make plans while earthworms and insects work in the dirt. As the year goes by, they tend to the garden, weeding, watering, and keeping away pests, and later harvesting vegetables. The illustrations are marked by rich brown earth tones, highlighted by brighter colors here and there (a red wheelbarrow, yellow boots) as the seasons reveal themselves slowly. Spreads detail the often unseen life all around the garden, such as a praying mantis that eats mosquitoes, pill bugs that chew through leaves, honeybees that pollinate flowers, and a garter snake that hunts grasshoppers. Neal effectively uses light and dark to show the contrast between night and day; an image of foraging rabbits by day is eventually replaced by a nighttime scene of skunks "[working] the night shift." Each page invites readers to linger over the quiet text, which gently moves the story along. Back matter includes an author's note and a complete listing of the many creatures mentioned throughout. VERDICT A beautiful, informative addition to any collection.-Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library, VA © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
https://omaha.bibliocommons.com/item/...
My thoughts:
As I read, I thought about how great this book would be for comparing and contrasting. I was glad to see the review, Frances E. Millhouser, focused on the role of each creature. I can definitely see how this perspective could be incorporated into classroom discussions/lessons about working together.
Gr 1-3-Beneath every garden lies a secret world down in the dirt. In this enchanting follow-up to Over and Under the Snow (Chronicle, 2011), Messner explores that underground realm. This yearlong adventure begins early in spring, with a young girl learning from her grandmother that the soil is still too cold and wet to begin planting. The pair make plans while earthworms and insects work in the dirt. As the year goes by, they tend to the garden, weeding, watering, and keeping away pests, and later harvesting vegetables. The illustrations are marked by rich brown earth tones, highlighted by brighter colors here and there (a red wheelbarrow, yellow boots) as the seasons reveal themselves slowly. Spreads detail the often unseen life all around the garden, such as a praying mantis that eats mosquitoes, pill bugs that chew through leaves, honeybees that pollinate flowers, and a garter snake that hunts grasshoppers. Neal effectively uses light and dark to show the contrast between night and day; an image of foraging rabbits by day is eventually replaced by a nighttime scene of skunks "[working] the night shift." Each page invites readers to linger over the quiet text, which gently moves the story along. Back matter includes an author's note and a complete listing of the many creatures mentioned throughout. VERDICT A beautiful, informative addition to any collection.-Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library, VA © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
https://omaha.bibliocommons.com/item/...
My thoughts:
As I read, I thought about how great this book would be for comparing and contrasting. I was glad to see the review, Frances E. Millhouser, focused on the role of each creature. I can definitely see how this perspective could be incorporated into classroom discussions/lessons about working together.
March 29, 2017
This book is very informative, just like its predecessor. I have to say that the last couple pages where the author goes through insect by insect is a fantastic way to present factual material to younger children. Once again, the illustrations are clean and simplistic, but do a marvelous job at "showing" the story.
September 30, 2017
I liked Over and Under the Snow a lot but for some reason I was completely enamored with the second book in this nature nonfiction picture book series. This time, a girl and her grandmother are planting a garden. Spanning many months, we see it grow and we learn about the various animals and insects that help or hinder with its progress.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 359 reviews