Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt: (Nature Book for Kids, Gardening and Vegetable Planting, Outdoor Nature Book) (Over and Under)
Original price was: $9.99.$7.99Current price is: $7.99.
Price: $9.99 - $7.99
(as of Oct 01, 2025 04:06:17 UTC – Details)
Now in paperback! This exuberant and lyrical addition to the award-winning Over and Under series unveils the wonders that lie hidden between stalks, under the shade of leaves, and down in the dirt.
From the author-illustrator team behind Over and Under the Snow and Over and Under the Pond.
Explore the secret realm beneath the dirt that brings the world of nature to life: Follow a young girl and her grandmother on a journey through the year planning, planting, and harvesting their garden—and learn about what’s happening in the dirt to help make it all happen.
Up in the garden, the world is full of green—leaves and sprouts, growing vegetables, ripening fruit. But down in the dirt exists a busy world—earthworms dig, snakes hunt, skunks burrow—populated by all the creatures that make a garden their home.
These secrets and many others are waiting to be discovered up in the garden and down in the dirt in this sweet children’s book from Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal, the latest in their beloved series that offers kids a peek into hidden ecosystems.
ENTERTAINING AND EDUCATIONAL: Beautiful illustrations paired with an easy-to-follow storyline make this a great read for any early elementary school student, while a glossary of animals that live in, around, and under the garden enriches the reading experience.
INSPIRES A LOVE A NATURE: Offering a look inside a hidden and bustling underground ecosystem, this gorgeously illustrated book encourages children to explore the world around them and appreciate the natural wonders they discover.
A FIVE-STAR FAVORITE OF READERS & REVIEWERS: “The harmonious relationships above and below ground, and those between the two, emphasize the complexities of the garden ecosystem, as well as the joys of sustained engagement with the land.”—The Horn Book Magazine; “Offers excellent coming attractions for what youngsters can expect when they try to grow something.” —Reading Today
Perfect for: A great read-aloud book for home or school Parents looking for enchanting bedtime reads or nature books for kids Fans of books like A Different Pond, A Seed is Sleepy, An Egg Is Quiet, Because of an Acorn, and Over and Under the Rainforest and others in the Over and Under series Any kid who loves picture books about science, nature, or animals
Publisher : Chronicle Books
Publication date : March 14, 2017
Edition : Reprint
Language : English
Print length : 56 pages
ISBN-10 : 1452161364
ISBN-13 : 978-1452161365
Item Weight : 10.2 ounces
Reading age : 2 – 5 years, from customers
Dimensions : 8 x 0.25 x 12 inches
Part of series : Over and Under
Grade level : Kindergarten – 3
Best Sellers Rank: #17,236 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #3 in Children’s Gardening Books (Books) #20 in Children’s Flower & Plant Books (Books)
Customer Reviews: 4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 3,077 ratings var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });
Customers say
Customers praise the book’s beautiful illustrations and detailed pictures, making it an excellent educational resource about the natural world. The book is particularly well-suited for pre-K students and serves as a nice introduction to gardening, with one customer noting it takes readers through all seasons in the garden. Customers find the story sweet and engaging, with one mentioning it works well as a bedtime read, and they appreciate its poetic writing style.
13 reviews for Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt: (Nature Book for Kids, Gardening and Vegetable Planting, Outdoor Nature Book) (Over and Under)
Add a review
Related Products
Original price was: $9.99.$7.99Current price is: $7.99.
Buny –
One of my top 10 favorite books
I never write reviews. Only when I don’t like something where I really really love something, it pretty much never happens. I was actually shocked to go back to this order and see it was only $7.99. I’ve paid $20 for books and they aren’t even as close to as good as this. The book quality, physically, is amazing. The pictures are wonderful and very engaging for my newly 3-year-old. He has so much more interest in the garden with me now. It’s wonderful. The writing in the book is so perfect and so educational and there’s just a bonuses on the back talking about all of the insects. I’m telling you this is an amazing book. Buy it
L –
Science lesson in poetry!
This is my new favorite book. I always try to get the kids nature books for Easter (and there are so many great ones) but right now this is my favorite! The beautifully composed story (to be clear it doesnât rhyme- I call it poetry because the writing is just beautiful) is about a girl and her grandmother through a year- from planning a garden, through all the stages until the next winter. But thereâs a catch! It alternates what they see above the ground with what is happening below the ground- all the bugs and creatures who live there and how they affect the soil and plants. The basic story is very simple and easy to understand- I read it to my almost 3yr old, and it kept her interest the whole time. But the skilled detail in all the descriptions of the insect world and living soil, predators and prey outside and how they all affect the environment, the care in tending a garden, just basic cause and effect, and the cyclical nature of.. nature- make this book a brilliant education on the natural world. The pictures on every page are also highly detailed and full of feeling. The ground is not a sterile environment- itâs intricate and full of all kinds of life with their own vital roles. I want my kids to understand this when theyâre outside, and embrace it. Beautiful, beautiful book!
L – reviews –
A must own in any library!
This book is so stunning, fun and the art makes me think this is the type of book little’s will cherish foreve!
andante –
A good book for introducing children to the realities of the world.
A good childrenâs book for introducing biology, geology, botany, etc. and an understanding of what exists beyond what we normally see. Beautifully illustrated. A reality check on digital media.
Sam Chupathingy –
Educational and sweet
Great read. Paints a very informative picture of the little creature happenings in a garden over the year. Not presented as an info-dump, but as a sweet remembrance. My six, four, three and two year olds have all loved it and gotten something from it.
Choly –
Lovely Book
Loved this book for my granddaughter. Beautifully illustrated.
Christine Cantu –
Cute!
Very cute book! Read it at preschool for Spring week!!
Amazon Customer –
Will purchase as a gift for friends
Kiddo and mama like this book. Fun pictures, lots of exposure to garden âstuff.â Itâs interesting and engaging (you can learn a lot or a little but youâll both be learning something 🙂
Helen M –
Very down to “earth” and ideal for a child who enjoys being in the garden.
any mouse –
Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt is such a lovely book. The illustrations are beautiful and full of detail, and the story has a gentle, peaceful rhythm that makes it perfect for quiet reading time. I love how it shows whatâs happening both above and below the ground itâs a great way to get kids thinking about nature in a deeper way.Itâs informative without feeling like a lesson, and the tone is very calming. A wonderful mix of science, storytelling, and appreciation for the natural world. Definitely a favorite on our bookshelf.
Aliesha W –
Kinder children absolutely loved it as a gift from me at the end of my teaching placement. Beautiful imagery.
Adel Sarvary –
Something may be wrong with the Kindle edition, it doesn’t open.
Replicant –
La prima copia l’ho comprata per me, la seconda per un regalo perché mi era piacuto tanto! Più che descrivere quello che sta sopra e sotto il terreno, spiega l’evoluzione di un orto nelle 4 stagioni con gli occhi di una bambina. Libro davvero delicato, consigliato per chi ha un giardino o un orto in cui far giocare i bambini.