Customer Reviews

Dirt: Jump Into Science

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a great piece of nonfiction for children. It is well illustrated and the text is easily understood. Children will have a great understanding of soil and its importance. I read this to my class and we are doing one of the experiments presented in the back of the book. I love books that provide extension activities for children. Highly recommended. Young children need more exposure to good nonfiction and this book fits the bill.

DIRT is a very accessible book. It starts simply and tries to make a connection with what readers already know about dirt. The author soon begins to call dirt "soil". It discusses soil's composition, formation, and use. It also covers the animals, insects, and organisms that live in soil. There is information about the layers of soil and conservation is mentioned briefly. There is a plant growing activity, but no resources for further study. The illustrations are colorful, clear, and kind of friendly. DIRT might be a good companion to the humorous "The Diary of a Worm". Karen Woodworth-Roman, Children's Science Book Review

I bought this book Dirt and also Sand by the same publisher. I now wish I would have gotten both copies in hardback. I nearly never feel that way because of the price difference. We buy alot of books! This is one I can use now with my middle schoolers, use later and use with Grandchildren some day. The pictures are vibranant and well laid out. The information is pertenient, and well placed and it is FUN to read! Pre-school through early High School could appreciate this book, understand it, and find it useful. Anyone who needs to understand our soil would do well with both these books. They cover different material so neither would be a repeat. National Geographic, as always did a great job.

Excited Teacher in Nevada!

This book is a must for anyone that teaches soil. As a teacher in fourth grade I believe this book is an essential item for the classroom. It has wonderful images and gives setps to create your own soil experiment. This Book is Terrific!

Personally I enjoyed Wiggling Worms at Work (only about worms) much more than this book, and I'm a little surprised it is received so highly.

It gave too many specifics that aren't important, like that scientists technically say that there are 100,000 types of soil, or something. What does that even mean? I thought things like this made it lose focus.

One cool thing it talked about was how soil needs to have different types to be healthy, and if you pour water on clay, it just sits at the top. It also talked about how important topsoil is and how it can be blown away.

It seemed more like a class than a fun book to learn just because learning is fun and dirt is magical.

Overall, I didn't think it had a fluid feel to it as the book progressed. Maybe it's just me, but it didn't excite me like Wiggling Worms at Work did.

If your state standards include soil, you need this book on your classroom bookshelf. I've used it for years to teach upper elementary science. It's excellent, correct information and facts, succinct. Can't recommend it highly enough. Of course, it is AR.