"There are more living organisms in a single handful of soil than there are people on the entire earth." An appealing, highly visual science book introduces young readers to the busy, intriguing world that lives just beneath their feet and describes how this world is affected by human activity on the surface just above it. (Ages 4-8)

Explains why topsoil is important and describes the complex interactions of plants and animals that maintain the soil's viability. Notes that some farmers carefully plant their crops to restore the earth but large-scale farms use artificial fertilizers and reduce the land's natural productivity. Also warns against squandering natural resources such as coal and oil.