Under Your Feet: Soil, Sand, and Everything Underground; Royal Horticultural Society, illustrated by Wenjia Tang

You may not pay much attention to the ground underneath your feet but down in the dark there’s an incredible ecosystem teeming with life. Soil cities and beautiful bogs are home to shoots and roots, wonderful worms and marvellous moles, brilliant bugs and creepy critters, funky fungus and magnificent microorganisms. And these aren’t the only ones dependent on soil, we need it too; for the crops we eat, to absorb harmful gases and to help slow global warming. Soil, it’s more than just dirt…

Soil is essential and this fabulous non-fiction book from the always reliable DK Publishing leaves readers in no doubt as to just how important it is. There is so much to dip into and explore on this journey of discovery that will expand knowledge of the natural world. Featuring everything you never thought you needed to or wanted to know about what lurks below, it (carefully) digs around in the ground and dishes the dirt on everything from soil to sand, minerals to nutrients, critters to roots, food to fungus and a whole a lot more.

Readers are going to love getting all clued-up with the fascinating world of soil and with an abundance of truly impressive information, it is sure to spark the curiosity of many. Did you know that a teaspoon of soil contains more microbes than there are humans on Earth? Or that with many still undiscovered, there could be up to five million species of fungi? And that it takes 500 years for one inch of soil to be formed? When the brain is all soiled out, there’s some fun experiments and how-to guides for those keen to get their hands dirty.

Visually engaging with great facts nestled around colourful illustrations, it offers a unique encounter with an incredible ecosystem that is essential to the survival of our planet. Young plant experts, bug lovers, geologists and anyone who is curious about the ground they walk on will thoroughly enjoy this non-fiction read. 
 
Recommended for 7+.