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From School Library Journal --------------------------- K-Gr 3—"Beneath our feet,/a world apart,/is found our Earth's fast-beating heart./It keeps us living,/soil and root,/while up above/we eat the fruit." Twenty-one pithy poems focus on the world below in this well-designed volume. Bookended by two inful poems and expanding on the word under (underground, understand, understood), all the verse in between explores under the house, the city, and the ground. Through a variety of poetic forms, readers will meet ants, worms, and moles; uncover buried history, cities, and treasure; and brush up on the science of magma, plate tectonics, and earthquakes. The text embodies wonder and factual information, piquing readers' interest along the way. The detailed illustrations, done in mixed media, tie the book together and provide little Easter eggs for kids to notice on every page. Back matter includes "Notes on the Poems: Both Scientific and Personal," which will help to engage readers with the topic in a more meaningful way. VERDICT For scientists and daydreamers, this slim volume of poetry approaches the world from a variety of thought-provoking perspectives in an attractive and engaging package. A fine addition to STEM-related poetry collections.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA Read more ( javascript:void(0) ) Review ------ *"Twenty-one poems...encourage children to explore what is under their feet using imagination and wonder. (E)ach poem honors the ability of young readers to navigate syntax, imagery, and wordplay. Yolen's of the underground is expansive...(and) Masse's mixed-media illustrations portray the imaginary points of view with omb. A thoughtful exploration of nature expressed in poetry that should open the eyes of children to unseen worlds." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review *"Yolen pays tribute to the natural...and the man-made...as well as musing on lost cities, (and) pirate treasure...Blending creativity with scientific fact, (her) poems appeal to readers' imaginations and intellects alike." - Publishers Weekly, starred review "...This collection illuminates the rich world of activity that goes on beneath our feet. The warm, naturalistic illustrations of underground scenes...often contain an element of charming whimsy...(and) nicely compliment the verses. Great for either a school or public library." – Booklist "Through a variety of poetic forms, readers will...uncover buried history...The text embodies wonder and factual information...The detailed illustrations...tie the book together and provide little Easter eggs for kids to notice on every page. For scientists and daydreamers, this...volume of poetry approaches the world from a variety of thought-provoking perspectives in an attractive and engaging package." -School Library Journal “This book of short, fun poems… could be used to teach both poetry and content. The illustrations are bright and feature two children discovering all the wonderful things that live underground.” -School Library Connection “Twenty-one poems invite children to consider the worlds—natural and manmade— beneath their feet…. shifting perspectives add a sense of playfulness. Notes…for each poem round out this title, offering extra information, conversation starters, and possibly inspiration for children to write about their own subterranean interests." The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Read more ( javascript:void(0) ) About the Author ---------------- Jane Yolen has been called the Hans Christian Andersen of America and the Aesop of the twentieth century. Her many awards include both the Kerlan Award and the Regina Medal for the body of her work. She lives in Hatfield, Massachusetts, and St. Andrews, Scotland. janeyolen.com Josée Masse is the illustrator of the critically-accled reverso poems by Marilyn Singer (Mirror Mirror, Follow Follow, and Echo Echo) and the Frog and Friends (I Can Read) series by Eve Bunting. She lives in Montreal, Canada. joseemasse.com Read more ( javascript:void(0) )