PREVIEW: The Lal Carbon Center is pleased to present a draft of its newest publication The ABCs of Soil by Rattan Lal and Maggie Willis, illustrated by Maggie Willis. The book, intended for upper elementary students and anyone age 10 - 99, introduces young scientists to some concepts fundamental to understanding soil, alongside more advanced vocabulary so that the terms feel familiar as the children explore further.
Soil is not just the dirt we see on the ground; it’s a living part of nature that helps plants grow, gives us food to eat, and helps filter the water we drink and enhance its quality and renewability. It produces food, feed, fiber, and fuel for human and nature consecration. By learning about soil, we can better understand how important it is to our daily lives and the world around us. For kids, discovering the wonders of soil can spark curiosity about science, nature, and the environment. Teaching children about soil’s importance in sustaining life helps them appreciate its role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and combating climate change.
An alphabet book focused on soil concepts for elementary-aged children is a way to introduce young learners to the wonderful world beneath their feet. The alphabet provides simple way to introduce fundamental concepts about soil and the environment. Including some scientific vocabulary in addition to the basic concepts about soil helps elementary-aged children become more familiar and comfortable with advanced terms to be explored later. All key, new, and unusual words, or words that are important in some other way, are highlighted in bold and further explained in the glossary at the end of this book. This will make it easier for children to better grasp topics and build on concepts like soil formation, soil’s role in ecosystem services.
From tiny creatures that live underground to the role soil plays in growing food, students will learn about the hidden magic beneath their feet. Whether it’s through planting gardens, recycling, or just appreciating nature, the goal of this book is to inspire children to care for the soil and everything it supports. This early education can lay the groundwork for lifelong environmental responsibility, empowering future generations to care for the planet and make informed decisions about soil conservation.
The book is available in full color or coloring book format. Please click on the images and links below to access the format you need.
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The ABCs of Soil in Full Color |
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The ABCs of Soil: Coloring Book for Printing |
While The ABCs of Soil is currently undergoing further editing and refinement for final publication, we would like to share these drafts with you. If our audience has feedback or suggestions, we welcome them at this time!