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Children's Nonfiction General

The Dirt on Dirt

by (author) Paulette Bourgeois

illustrated by Martha Newbigging

Publisher
Kids Can Press
Initial publish date
Feb 2008
Category
General
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781554531011
    Publish Date
    Feb 2008
    List Price
    $17.95

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Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels

  • Age: 8 to 12
  • Grade: 3 to 7

Description

Dirt. It's in the air, under your bed, on the street and between your toes. Most of the time, you're trying to get rid of it. Does showering make you feel squeaky clean? Sure you are -- for now. Read this book to find out why you just can't escape dirt -- and why it's important for more reasons than you think. Earth, mud, grime, soil -- whatever you call it, dirt is everywhere, even where you don't expect it. Did you know that without dirt there would be no rain? Or beautiful sunsets? The Dirt on Dirt covers not only what you think of as dirt, but also everything on and around the planet relating to dirt, from dirt homes big and small to secrets the dirt hides and much more. Youngsters will also find a bucketful of fun things to do with dirt, including how to build a bike racetrack, create fossil footprints and grow a garden playhouse.

About the authors

Paulette Bourgeois est l'auteure des albums mettant en vedette Benjamin la tortue. Traduites dans 38 langues, les aventures de Benjamin se sont vendues à plus de 60 millions d'exemplaires à travers le monde! Benjamin et la Saint-Valentin a remporté la troisième position au palmarès Communication-Jeunesse des livres pour les jeunes.

 

When asked what she hopes children will learn from her books, Paulette Bourgeois explains: "It is most important to look for the wonder in ordinary things." Some of this wonder, and a curious anxiety, spill over into her character Franklin. The world's best-loved turtle overcomes the challenges of the everyday life of a five-year-old in a way that resonates with children. Since 1986, Franklin and Paulette have championed a fear of the dark, boastful fibs, thunderstorms, new friends, museum dinosaurs,...
When Paulette finished writing her first book, Franklin in the Dark, she knew that she would always write stories for children. With each new book, she imagines a child turning the last page and giving a satisfied sigh. Paulette explains: "I want readers to feel connected to my storybook world - to feel, to smell, to touch and to explore the landscapes, both internal and external, that I have created. As I write, I draw on my own experiences and find it easy to remember emotions and situations."
Although Paulette is best-known for the Franklin books, she is also the writer of fiction and non-fiction for young readers. In her non-fiction writing, she explores another realm of wonders with her young readers. She shares "amazing" information on many topics: from apples to potatoes; from fire fighters to Garbage Collectors; from the moon to the sun! What's next, the universe! The Sun: Starting with Space was shortlisted for a Science in Society Book Award (1995), given by the Canadian Science Writer's Association, and won the honor of Parents' Choice Approval, given by the US Parents' Choice Foundation (1997).
Currently, Paulette is endeavoring to write longer books for children, and trying to follow the advice she gives to children: "Read, read, read and write, write, write."

Paulette Bourgeois' profile page

MARTHA NEWBIGGING has illustrated for numerous magazines including TreeHouse Family, Canadian Business, Toronto Life, TV Guide, and Destinations. Her illustrations have also been featured on a line of t-shirts for the famous Canadian casual clothing retailer Marci Lipman. She lives in Toronto.

Martha Newbigging's profile page

Awards

  • Short-listed, Red Cedar Award, BC Young Reader’s Choice
  • Winner, Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children’s Book Centre

Editorial Reviews

... easy-to-do experiments, and plenty of I didn’t know that facts ... Combine that with cartoon-like illustrations ... and you’ve got something that kids will want to read and reread.

The pace is energetic...and the text is nicely seeded with child-friendly “fun with dirt experiments’...

... The text is lively ... professional, and very well organized. There are 11 activities for kids that seem ... fun and educational ...

... The text is lively ... professional, and very well organized. There are 11 activities for kids that seem ... fun and educational ...

... easy-to-do experiments, and plenty of I didn’t know that facts ... Combine that with cartoon-like illustrations ... and you’ve got something that kids will want to read and reread.

... engaging introduction to soil ...

A kaleidoscopic peek into the multifaceted world of dirt ... a fun source for kids ... and a nifty browser for budding naturalists.

A kaleidoscopic peek into the multifaceted world of dirt ... a fun source for kids ... and a nifty browser for budding naturalists.

The pace is energetic...and the text is nicely seeded with child-friendly “fun with dirt experiments’...

... engaging introduction to soil ...

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