Dig In!

PreS-Gr 1—A young child is the catalyst of events when playing in the dirt during a beautiful day. Initially, the child digs and discovers a worm. A rock, then a pill bug, a seed, a spider, and a sprout all make an appearance. Add some water to the mix, and the child creates mud to begin another exciting adventure. Nonverbal characters also come into play; the worm plays an interested role when reviewing its surroundings and shows alarm when the rock blocks its entryway. Illustrations, created using linoleum block prints on paper with some digital touches, place the dirt in center view so the focus often remains on the child's hands. Hints of what is to come, such as the packet of radish seeds strewn about, add a sense of wonder and celebration of the natural world. Brief phrases accentuate the necessity of both action and waiting. "I dig in the dirt…/and find a seed./Seed waits./I dig in the dirt…/and find a spider./Spider runs."