Up, Down, and Around Book

"An inviting introduction to the wonder of plants, food, and gardening. . . . Will be a favorite of teachers, students, and home readers alike." — KIRKUS REVIEWS

From seeds dropping into soil to corn bursting from its stalks, from children chasing butterflies to ants burrowing underground, everything in this vibrant picture book pulses with life —- in all directions! Sprightly illustrations set the mood for a rhythmic text that follows nature’s course to a feast of backyard bounty.

Children's Literature

Two little kids and a man, plus many animal observers, head out to their garden and plant some seeds. They water them, and then corn grows up, carrots grow down, And cucumbers climb around and around. Peppers grow up through various vegetables growing on vines, under the soil, or sticking up to be plucked. The underground vegetables are shown (with bugs crawling around and a mole taking a nap in its hole) in cutaway drawings, so children will be able to get an idea just what's going on there in the garden. The cartoony illustrations are excellent, with all sorts of garden animals running around (and eating the vegetables, despite the scarecrow), and plenty of color and movement adding to the liveliness of this book. This would be a great addition to a classroom segment on gardening, or for a family to read together before doing planting in their own garden.