Under Your Feet... Soil, Sand and Everything Underground, Hardcover

Did you know that worm poo in soil helps plants grow? Or that soil can affect climate change? Find out why, and many more amazing facts about the underground world in this beautifully illustrated nature book, perfect for 7-9 year olds.

Soil is essential to life on Earth, and this book explains exactly how it impacts different areas of our lives--from the link between soil and climate change, to growing the food that we eat, and why we need to protect the ground. It celebrates the diversity of natural landscapes across the world, both the similarities and the fascinating differences.

Under Your Feet delves beneath the Earth's surface and explores the diverse wonders hidden there. Encounter incredible creatures that could be from another planet, including the star-faced mole and worms as big as snakes, and marvel at the mind-boggling size of the humongous fungus--the biggest organism in the world. This journey into the Earth is also a trip back in time, as prehistoric fossils tell a story of creatures who lived millions of years ago.

Discover all the stuff you never knew about the world under your feet, from exactly what soil is made of to the creatures who make it their home. Learn how one handful of ordinary soil contains more organisms than there are people on Earth, and carry out experiments using dirt from your 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 young geologists and anyone who is curious about the ground we walk on.

Marc Redmile-Gordon is an expert in the crucial link between soil and climate change, and is part of the RHS's science team. His work as a soil scientist focuses on how we can help stop human-driven climate change through improving soil quality.

Jackie Stroud is a soil scientist based at Rothamsted Research, England, one of the oldest agricultural research stations in the world. She is a devoted science communicator, often found out-and-about at events or in the media talking about the importance of healthy soil for farming. She pioneered World Worm Week, which raises awareness of the importance of worms in the soil ecosystem.

Wenjia Tang was born in China, and moved to the US when she was 15. She graduated from MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art) in 2017 and now lives in New York. She describes herself as an animal lover, and her previous work includes creating all the artwork for the educational app Mammals. Wenjia's artistic style is influenced by printmaking. Her work can be found on her website wenjiatang.com and her Instagram @wtangart.