Soil Stories

A few books that you might like to use for Earth day.

The Gardener

Author: Sarah Stewart

Illlustrator: David Small

Summary: Lydia Grace Finch is off to live with her uncle Jim while her dad looks for a job. She sets off with stationary, clothes, and a suitcase full of seeds. She arrives to a big city, an uncle who doesn't smile, and a building full of endless possibilities. Lydia sets to work planting seeds in the window boxes and in any containers she can find. As her seeds sproud and bloom she brightens up the whole house. But can she brighten up Uncle Jim's face. This is a delightful story told through the letters Lydia writes to her family

You should have heard Emma laugh today when I opened your letter and dirt fell out onto the sidewalk! Thank you for all the baby plants. They survived the trip in the big envelope.

Ages: 6-10

Use to teach: Earth Day, plants/flowers, seeds, writing style

The Great Paper Caper

Author and Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers

Summary:Something strange is happening in the forest. Branches are mysteriously dissapearing from the trees. The animals get together and decide something must be done. They set up a full scale investigation to find the tree thief. After searching for clues, police tape, and calling in witnesses, it's a simple paper airplane that leads them to the answer. This humorous story is a great way to talk about suing our recources wisely, replacing what we take, and how to make a fantastic paper airplane. A small child will stay interested but may not understand what is going on.

They took photographs, made notes and examined every leaf. But no matter how hard they investigated no clues could be found.

Ages: 4-9

Use to teach: Earth Day, Trees, Recycle, investigation, paper airplanes

Miss Rumphius

Author: Barbara Cooney

Summary: Alice Rhumbius tells her grandfather when she is young that she will visit faraway places and live by the ocean when she is old. He has her promise to add a third thing to her list; do something to make the world more beautiful. This she promises. She completes the first two and wonders how she can make the world more beautiful. She soon finds out she can do this in a simple way but one that can be enjoyed by everyone. This book has beautiful artwork but has more text and is geared to a little bit older child.

When I grow up," I tell her, "I too will go to faraway places and come home to live by the sea." "That is all very well, little Alice," says my aunt, "but there is a third thing you must do." "What is that?" I ask. "You must do something to make the world more beautiful." "All right," I say. But I do not know yet what that can be.

Ages: 6-10

Use to teach: Earch Day, Service, Plants

Scarecrow
Author: Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator: Lauren Stringer

Summary: The life of a scarecrow doesn't seem extraordinary but from his viewpoint the world becomes a completely different place. For just a few minutes Rylant takes us out of our shoes and hangs us up next to the scarecrow and fills us with straw so that we can appreciate the world around us and the simple things that we often don't see. This book has beautiful illustrations and gives a unique and fun perspective.

His hat is borrowed, his suit is borrowed, his hands are borrowed, even his head is borrowed. And his eyes probably came out of someone's drawer. But a scarecrow's life is all his own.

Ages 4-8

Use to teach: Earth day, recycling, scarecrows, viewpoint

Other books I didn't get time to review or wasn't able to find that you may want to try out:

How a seed growns: Helene Jordan

Supermoo: Babette Cole

A Cow, A Bee. A cookie, and me: Meredith Hooper

The Garbage Monster: Jodi Sensel

Flower Garden: Eve Bunting

Planting a Rainbow: Lois Ehlert

On Meadowview Street and Jack's Garden: Henry Cole

The empty pot: Demi

Growing Vegetable Soup: Lois Ehlert

The tiny seed: Eric Carle

Potato Bug Project

Diary of a Worm

Author: Doreen Cronin

Illustrator: Harry Bliss

Summary: Have you ever wondered what a day in the life of a worm might be like. Diary of a worm is a hilarious story written from the viewpoint of a worm. Each page has a different diary entry from one little worm and all he experiences down on the ground. This book will make you laugh out loud and is a fun way to introduce worms.

My older sister thinks she's so pretty. I told her that no matter how much time she spends looking in the mirror, her face will always look just like her rear end

Ages: 4-8

Use to teach: worms, earth day, soil, decomposition, writing style

We had a wiggly, squiggly day for our first book project. The Diary of a Worm is a great project book and a great way to kick off Earth day next Wednesday. Here is what we did today hopefully you will find something fun for you and your family to try:

Worm diagram: Rose and I started off the day with a worm diagram. Since she is pretty small. I drew and labeled the worm and she glued on the parts. But it can be adjusted for the age of your child.

Diary of a Ladybug: We decided to start our own diary, we choose a different insect and went around searching for ladybugs to take pictures. We will have to keep working on this one since it has been a little cold and the ladybugs were scare, but we are going to make our own little Diary of a Ladybug.

Worm Hunt: This was our favorite activitiy. We headed out to the garden, anyplace with some soil, compost areas etc, will work. We dug in the earth to search for some worms to investigate with.

Worm Jar home: After finding some worms we filled up a jar with soil, old leaves, and some newspaper so we could watch the worms decompose. You can use a variety of items in the jar and you can make a much larger home for your worms.

Worm races: We drew a circle on the cement and put in our worms and waited to see which worm could make it to the outside of the circle first.

Cup of dirt: This is the best way to end your day of worms. Just crush up some oreos, make some chocolate pudding and add some gummy worms. A lot better than real worms!