Gr 4-7-A kaleidoscopic peek into the multifaceted world of dirt-and soil and sand and mattress lint and earthworms and geology and paleontology and (you get the drift). All these fascinating bits are accompanied by a peck of hands-on projects ranging from making a composter out of a milk carton to the production of a delectable "mud cake." The chatty text provides a plethora of facts, interspersed with cartoon drawings, diagrams, and color photos (though one of a creature described as a mole looks suspiciously like a woodchuck). More demanding than Christin Ditchfield's simple Soil (Children's Press, 2002) or Steve Tomecek's informative Dirt (National Geographic, 2002), and with a different thrust than Raymond Bial's graceful A Handful of Dirt (Walker, 2000), this book will certainly be a fun source for kids needing science projects and a nifty browser for budding naturalists.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

This volume explores different aspects of dirt, from its formation and erosion to dirt biking. The casual writing style and many hands-on activities are a draw, but the information is randomly sequenced, forming a jumble of facts and trivia, which makes the book best used for browsing rather than research. Photographs and cartoon illustrations extend the concepts. Glos., ind. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.

Illustrated with a mix of color photos and lighthearted cartoon art, Bourgeois's latest outing lays a thin layer of inquiry over a wide variety of dirt-related topics--from mud, stains and sand to archaeology, gardening and plate tectonics. Warning readers with weak stomachs not to read further, she begins with the observation that we are surrounded, and in fact covered, with dirt that not all the soap or detergents (the chemical actions of which she explains) in the world can remove for more than a moment. Despite several simple science demonstrations and a true-false quiz about worms along the way, this is too quick a once-over to be more than an additional source for assignments or serious information-gathering. Casual browsers or younger readers of April Pulley Sayre's Stars Beneath Your Bed: The Surprising Story of Dust (2005), illustrated by Ann Jonas, may sweep it up, though. (index) (Nonfiction. 7-9) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

From dirty toes, fossils, earthworms, and animal burrows to buried treasure, cities, and dog bones, this engaging introduction to soil touches on a wide variety of topics clearly and concisely. Fun with Dirt experiments and activities demonstrate concepts and stimulate imagination. Illustrated with well-captioned photographs and cartoon-style sketches, the inviting format will attract browsers and students alike. Although the basic outline, much of the text, and the casual tone are the same as the author's Amazing Dirt Book  (1990), the colorful, new format makes this a worthy revision for libraries. A glossary and index are appended, but no sources are cited.--Perkins, Linda Copyright 2008 Booklist