For many months a tiny seed has been warm and safe underground. Now it's spring and a little green shoot bursts from the seed and appears from under the soil. Beneath the surface, the new plant's roots spread out in search of water and nutrients. One day the little shoot will be a tall, strong tree. None of this would be possible without soil! Inside this book, readers will discover how important soil is to plant life. How do plants get water and nutrients from soil? Why would trees fall over if there was no soil? And why is good, healthy soil essential to farmers who grow and produce most of the foods we eat? Filled with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of an early elementary audience, this colorful, fact-filled volume gives readers a chance not only to learn, but also to develop their powers of observation and critical thinking. With its stunning photographs and surprising, high-interest facts about a material that most of us take for granted, the book makes learning about soil a lively, engaging experience.