Get Growing!: How the Earth Feeds Us

Jean Free, a library consultant, is a retired public-school teacher and
librarian in Whitby, Ontario.

Get Growing! examines agricultural ecology and pollution to assist
junior- and intermediate-grade children in examining the ways we grow
our food and learning why current farm practices are depleting the soil.
How we can start changing habits with less reliance on chemicals and
still be able to feed the Earth’s five billion people is part of the
focus of this Earthcare series.

Contents include three chapters: “What’s That on Your Plate?”;
“Feeding Our Friends in the Soil”; and “Making Peace with
‘Pests’.” Information on fertilizers, animals in farming, loss of
trees, pesticides, and organic farming is given. Definitions of earth,
soil and pest words as well as practical action suggestions—planting a
garden, cutting food waste, examining soil, starting a compost pile,
watching insects, food shopping, and influencing governments is
included.

Get Growing! is a large-format book that is visually attractive and
informatively illustrated. It should appeal to young readers for
recreational reading or school projects. The layout includes small boxes
of information, recipes, and ideas for science experiments and further
research, with thought-provoking suggestions for elementary-school
teachers and students. Savage is the author of other books on the
environment, including Trash Attack! and The Wonder of Canadian Birds.
Get Growing! is recommended for purchase for school- and public-library
collections as well as personal use.