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Topic: Rocks, Soils & Fossils

Under Your Feet: Soil, Sand and Other Stuff

Non-fiction

Down where worms wriggle and microbes squirm, there’s a whole world waiting to be discovered…

Under Your Feet delves beneath the Earth’s surface and explores the diverse wonders hidden there. Encounter creatures of the deep and marvel at the mind-boggling size of the humongous fungus – the biggest organism in the world. Learn how one handful of ordinary soil contains more organisms than there are people on Earth, and carry out experiments using dirt from your own back garden.

Under Your Feet offers you the opportunity to expand your knowledge of the natural world and soil-dwelling creatures big and small. Bursting with colourful illustrations and photography, this is the perfect book for budding young plant experts, animal fanatics, and geologists, and anyone who is curious about the ground we walk on.

Rocks, Soils and Fossils Topic

Best children’s books about rocks, soils and fossils

The study of rocks is known as geology and is a component of the science curriculum in primary schools. From rock cycles and different soil types to exciting discoveries of important fossils, learning about how the ground beneath our feet can tell us more about the world is a fascinating topic. We’ve put together a list of the best children’s books about rocks, soils and fossils…

Stone Girl Bone Girl

Picturebook

Discover the story of Mary Anning, the world’s best-known fossil hunter.

As a baby, Mary was struck by lightning, then as a little girl she found a fossilised sea monster, the most important prehistoric discovery of its time. This spectacular tale of a little girl who dared to be different and who followed her dreams will inspire young children.

Beautiful illustrations and narrative text help children to learn how Mary discovered new fossils – and how her observations rocked the natural history world. Be inspired by Mary’s work as a woman in the field of science – especially as her achievements weren’t recognised until after her death.

Perfect for kids interested in dinosaurs and rocks, and for parents looking for strong female role models in science.

Under Earth, Under Water

Non-fiction

Hundreds of fascinating facts are waiting to be unearthed in this latest book from Aleksandra and Daniel Mizielinski, the creative duo behind the bestselling Maps. Dive below the surface, and find out what happens under the earth and under the water. From early submarines and deep-sea life, to burrowing animals and man-made tunnels – you will never look at the world in the same way again! Gorgeous design and quirky illustrations make this a book to be pored over again and again.

The Rock Factory: A Story About Rocks and Stones

Non-fiction

This series uses cartoon-style illustrations and humorous narrative text to make key topics in Science and Geography accessible and engaging. This approach encourages children to read about and understand complex ideas. This is the story of how a special sort of stone formed deep inside the Earth, and came to the surface thousands of millions of years later.

The Rock Factory looks at how minerals turn into rock crystals, how the Earth is structured and how volcanoes happen. This book also contains an experiment, useful websites and an index.

Everyday STEM: Geology

Non-fiction

Discover how geology is part of our daily lives with Everyday STEM Science – Geology. Explore the wonders of Earth and see how geology is all around us, from natures materials that are used to build roads and buildings to the minerals found in your mobile phone and drinks can. Witness a volcanic eruption, find out if there is water on Mars, unearth a dinosaur and meet the geologists and scientists who brought geology to life. Readers can also carry out geology experiments at home.

With easy-to-understand text written by Emily Dodd, fun callouts and lots of colourful artworks, photos, and diagrams, readers can best explore where we encounter geology and why it’s even important at all.

Soil

Non-fiction

There’s so much to see up here on the street, but it’s even more interesting under our feet!

This informative title looks at our ancestors, and what their ancient bones tell us about the living, breathing people they were. From stone age man to a terracotta army, we know ourselves because we know the people under our feet.

Lightning Mary

Chapter book

Winner of the middle grade STEAM Book Prize, this chapter book is based on the life of fossil hunter Mary Anning.

One stormy night, a group of villagers are struck by lightning. The only survivor is a baby – Mary Anning. From that moment on, a spark is lit within her. Growing up poor but proud on the windswept Dorset coast, Mary follows after her father, hunting for fossils uncovered by waves and landslips: ancient creatures, turned to stone. Ignoring other people’s taunts, Mary faces danger to bring back valuable treasures to help feed her family. But tragedy and despair is never far away. Mary must depend upon her unique courage and knowledge to fulfil her dream of becoming a scientist in a time when girls have no opportunities for such ambitions.

With a factual section about Mary Anning, her life, and the discoveries she made.

Blue John

Chapter book, Dyslexia-friendly

The Queen of Darkness lives deep underground beneath a mountain with her child, Blue John, a boy she made from the blue of the glacier and the hot yellow light of the sun. Blue John is forbidden to leave his mother’s side, but the lure of the light above is too strong. When a singing, dancing girl comes to the caves, Blue John must make a choice between darkness and light. A heart-warming story that embraces the beauty and colours of the natural world. High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all.

The Pebble in my Pocket: A History of Our Earth

Non-fiction

Where do pebbles come from? How were they made? This book tells the story of a pebble, from its origins in a fiery volcano 480 million years ago to a busy, modern landscape. Readers follow the processes of rock formation and erosion that create new pebbles all over the world.

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Stone Girl Bone Girl

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