Crop Science & Agriculture (See also Botany and Ag Books for Kids)

Burckhardt, Ann L. Corn / by Ann L. Burckhardt ; reading consultant, Robin Johnston. Mankato, Minn. : Bridgestone Books, c1996. Grade: B

Overly simple and overly eclectic look at corn. Each two page spread has a photo on the left and about 25 words on the right page. The book begins, "What is Corn? Corn is one of the world's most important crops. Corn is also called maize. That is an Indian word meaning life-giver." I do care, but reading this text leaves me with the question, who cares? " KWR, UIUC MLIS, UIUC Certificate of Professional Development in Crop Science. (12-03)

Fridell, Ron. Life cycle of a-- pumpkin / Ron Fridell and Patricia Walsh. Chicago, Ill. : Heinemann Library, c2001. [Heinemann first library] ISBN: 1588100936. Ages 4-9. Grade A.

Tells how a pumpkin grows from seed to seed. Life cycle of a--pumpkin has some nice features. Across the bottom of the pages there is a timeline that shows how many weeks have past when the pumpkin is at different stages of its life cycle. There are also fun facts, an index, glossary, and further reading list.

Hipp, Andrew. Corn inside and out / text by Andrew Hipp; illustrations by Andrea Ricciardi di Gaudesi.New York : PowerKids Press, 2004. 0823942058 (lib. bdg.) Ages 8-12. Grade: B.

This book is a good addition to the limited number of books on corn for young people of which there are surprisingly few considering how important corn is to the US food supply and economy. There are some good quality photographs and some excellent labeled illustrations. Unfortunately, the writing is not as clear or concise as I would like and the organization is not great either. However many important topics are covered such as parts of a corn plant, how it grows, and fertilization. It also looks at diverse corn related topics like insects, ancient corn, storage, and a few positive and negatives of modern corn. There is a glossary, index, and publisher updated web links. KWR 08-05

Kids, Crops, & Critters in the Classroom: Resource Guide for Teachers. Illinois Farm Bureau. 1999. Grades 4-6 Grade: A+

A standards based teaching tool with ready to go lessons for grades 4-6. Some lessons could easily be adapted for younger or older students. Several topics included are ag careers, ecosystem biodiversity, and tracking technology. Of course, it covers corn and soybeans, but also dairy, sheep, swine, cattle, etc. It has fun activities like puzzles and instructions on how to make a corn husk doll. I mean where else can you find a student activity that describes the main parts of a soybean seed? How cool is that? KWR (10-05)

Oxlade, Chris. Soil / Chris Oxlade. Chicago, Ill. : Heinemann Library, c2002. 1588105873 (lib. bdg) (Ages 4-8) Grade: B+

I think Soil is a good introduction, but several facts were a bit too general. For example, "Plants cannot live without soil." To keep the book simple for the intended audience that sentence might have read, "Few plants can live without soil." The photos could be improved with labels and some stock photos don't seem to be a perfect match for the book. I liked the "Fact File" and "Can You Believe it?" sections. Also contains a glossary, short bibliography, and index. KWR, UIUC MLIS, UIUC Certificate of Professional Development in Crop Science. (01-04)

Snyder, Inez. Cranberries / by Inez Snyder. New York : Children's Press, 2004. 0516275925 (Ages 4-7). [Harvesttime Series] Grade: A

Colorful book with excellent photos. Snyder has written a simple book that is packed with cranberry information. Beyond saying cranberries grow on vines in bogs, it focuses on the work of farmers in cranberry harvesting. Includes bibliographical references (p. 23) and index. Other entries in the series are Apples, Carrots, Oranges, Tomatoes, and Wheat. KWR (06-04)

Stewart, Melissa. Down to earth / by Melissa Stewart ; [illustrator, Jeffrey Scherer]. Minneapolis, Minn. : Compass Point Books, c2004. ages 6-10. 075650595X Favorably reviewed

Stewart gives step by step suggestions on how to investigate the soil in your own back yard (or near by...). Discusses the life you might find in the soil, composition, and several soil types (clay, sand, silt). Many photos were taken specifically for this book. There are some good illustrations. There are three activities included as well as a glossary, resources, and an index. Overall, I think this would be a good book to encourage scientific discovery. 03-05

Stille, Darlene. Soil : Digging into Earth's Vital Resource / Darlene Stille. Minneapolis, Minn. : Compass Point Books, c2005. 0756508576 (hardcover) Grade: A+

This is the best soil book that I have read. It contains excellent detail and a lot of information. For example, "Soil is a mixture of air, water, mineral particles, and decayed (or rotted) plants and animals. Scientists call the mineral particles inorganic material. The particles made up of dead plants and animals are called organic material." Covers such topics as soil components, formation, types, and conservation. Also covers organic farming and composting. Includes interesting topics such as african mud cloth, soil orders, solving crime with soils and pH. The book design is orderly and there are photos as well as illustrations. Mentions the occupation of pedologist or soil scientist. There are lists of additional resources, a glossary, and an index. 03-05

Tomecek, Steve. Dirt / by Steve Tomecek ; illustrated by Nancy Woodman. Washington, D.C. : National Geographic Society, 2002. [Jump into Science Series] 0792282043 Grade: B+

Dirt is a very accessible book. It starts simply and tries to make a connection with what readers already know about dirt. The author soon begins to call dirt "soil". It discusses soil's composition, formation, and use. It also covers the animals, insects, and organisms that live in soil. There is information about the layers of soil and conservation is mentioned briefly. There is a plant growing activity, but no resources for further study. The illustrations are colorful, clear, and kind of friendly. This book might be a good companion to the humorous "The Diary of a Worm". KWR (08-04)

Taus-Bolstad, Stacy. From grass to milk / by Stacy Taus-Bolstad. Minneapolis : Lerner Publications Co., c2004. 0822546647 [Start to Finish] Grade: A-

Shows milk production starting with a cow eating grass. Focuses on the transporting, processing, and packaging milk goes through to prepare it for sale in stores. Simple sentences are on the left page and each right page is a color photo. Includes a three word glossary and eight word index. KWR (03-05)

Watts, Barrie. Pumpkin / Barrie Watts. Mankato, Minn. : Smart Apple Media, c2003. ISBN: 1583401997 (alk. paper) [Watch it grow] Ages 4-12. Grade: A.

Up close and detailed look at the growth of a pumpkin from seed germination to its use after harvest. The text is clearly written and well researched. Beyond the obvious, concepts such as seed leaves, root hairs, and what happens to a flower that isn't pollinated are included. Excellent photographs and a labeled illustration. The photographs could be improved with captions. There is a glossary, index, and one page photo recap of the pumpkin life cycle. 02-06.