A Handful of Dirt

by Raymond Bial

Soil may not be alive, but amazingly, multitudes of microscopic creatures live there, battling it out in an eat-or-be-eaten world. These tiny creatures, invisible to our eyes, provide food for the insects that in turn feed the reptiles and mammals that live in and above the soil. You'll never look at the ground you walk on in the same way after Raymond Bial, an award-winning photo essayist, takes you on this eye-opening, down-and-dirty tour of one of the earth's most precious resources.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Nature, Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published May 15, 2000

About the author

Author and photographer Raymond Bial (1948-2021) has been creating acclaimed books for children and adults for more than thirty years. His books have been published by Houghton Mifflin, Scholastic, Walker & Company, Marshall Cavendish, Crickhollow Books, and other fine publishers and university presses. Raymond also makes images on assignment, and his stock photographs have been used by book publishers such as National Geographic, advertising agencies such as Leo Burnett, and media such as PBS.

Raymond’s most recent books are Ellis Island: Coming to the Land of Liberty, which is an excellent companion volume to Tenement: Immigrant Life on the Lower East Side; The Shaker Village, a lovely collection of color photographs depicting the simplicity and grace of this remarkable utopian community; a lovely paperback edition of Where Lincoln Walked published in honor of the bicentennial of the birth of this great president; Dripping Blood Cave and Other Ghostly Stories, the third volume in a popular series of ghost stories for young readers; and Rescuing Rover: Saving America’s Dogs, which has been selected for the Junior Literary Guild Book Club. Rescuing Rover is currently receiving high praise across the country.

Chigger, his most recent novel, is receiving fine reviews from readers, young and old alike. Anyone who likes to root for the underdog will love this sweet story of an unforgettable girl.

Reviews

[Laura Noto · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Handful of Dirt is a picture book for 3rd-5th graders. It features colorful and detailed photographs of dirt, compost, and all of the things that go with them. The book begins with an author’s note about his grandfather and how he taught the author how to compost. This made the study of dirt and compost more personal and interesting. The book then goes on to give the details of what dirt is, how it is made, and the organisms that exist in it. After he describes the organisms he tells the readers about the bugs that prey on them. Then he talks about the animals that eat those bugs. After talking about the vast life cycle involved with soil, the author gives information on how to start a personal compost pile. This book makes you consider how intricate and involved dirt is and how we can play an important role in making more of it.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers a fascinating look at soil. I love the introduction, where the author ties his grandfather's love for gardening to the creation of this book. The photographs are big and colorful and the narrative is detailed, but not overly so. The book could easily be read all at once or broken up. The science of dirt and soil is fascinating and makes us glad that we plant a garden and have a compost bin, doing our part to create more life-giving soil. We really enjoyed reading this book together. It's nonfiction books like this that make reading about science fun.

[Ashley Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A handful of dirt is an informative children’s book that discusses how soil evolves from rocks into fertile plains and how worn out soils can be revived using compost and soil modifications. This is a great book that could be used in a farming unit for 3rd - 4th graders. With its large pictures, children will quickly become engaged in the book. It also has instructions on how to make compost too. This will be a very informative way to incoroprate literature into the classroom in a cross curricular manner.

[Katie Bruff · Rating 3 out of 5]

In "A Handful of Dirt," the colorful photographs teach children the importance of soil, and how it supports life. Dirt isn't just dirt on the ground, it presents nature and is the most common resource in the world. This teaches children about academics in Science.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the most thrilling J nonfiction I've ever read, but it was accessible and informative.

[Kathy Manus · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter chose this book but it was more suited to my 7 year old. Informative and educational but no story. I enjoyed it.

[CFAITC]

You'll never look at the ground you walk on in the same way after you've taken this down-in-the-earth photographic tour of one of Earth's most common but precious resources.