# Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt: (Spring Books for Kids, Gardening for Kids, Preschool Science Books, Children's Nature Books) - Hardcover

by **Kate Messner** (Author), **Christopher Silas Neal** (Illustrator)

**In this exuberant and lyrical addition to the award-winning Over and Under series, emerging readers will delight in discovering 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

### Author Biography

Christopher Silas Neal is an award-winning illustrator whose work is published regularly in the _New York Times_ and shown in galleries. He teaches illustration at Pratt Institute and lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Kate Messner is the award-winning author of _Over and Under the Snow_, _Sea Monster's First Day_, _Sea Monster and the Bossy Fish_, and more than a dozen other books for young readers. Kate lives on Lake Champlain with her family.

**Number of Pages:** 52

**Dimensions:** 0.6 x 12.3 x 8.5 IN

**Illustrated:** Yes

**Publication Date:** March 03, 2015

**Award:** Giverny Award (2015)

**Accelerated Reader:**

**Quiz Name:** Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt

**Interest Level:** Lower Grades, K-3

**Reading Level:** 5

**Point Value:** 0.5

## Details

- **Price:** 19.99 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 19.99 USD | In stock |

## Images

- Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt: (Spring Books for Kids, Gardening for Kids, Preschool Science Books, Children's Nature Books) - Hardcover

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> Updated: 2026-07-23