“Green stems and leaves sprout from the soil. Underground, vegetables grow larger and larger every day.” A big box of books arrived from Capstone today and this one with carrots in dirt on the front caught my eye right away. The trim size feels good in your hand and early readers should delight in reading about things that grow underground. I always am amazed at the way authors manage to convey information and ideas with a vocabulary just right for early readers. But simple words don’t mean a lack of information! Carrots Grow Underground follows the life cycle of growing root vegetables and the process they go through while developing. I like that the author included parsnips, too. From seeds to harvest, the book follows root vegetables and up close photos illustrate the text. This fun-sized book has a glossary, Read More section, websites, and an index. This is an excellent way to introduce young readers to nonfiction and the joy of science. Activity Get a package of carrot seeds. Put a few in a plastic bag with wet paper towels and watch them germinate. You might want to add beans and radishes for young kids, since carrots take a longer time to get going. Then plant some of the carrot seeds in a pot and plant some in the flowerbed or garden. Count the days it takes for them to sprout. Track their growth and pull up one at intervals to see the root hairs form as the carrot grows. Use a real carrot to study until yours grow up! Cut one open and examine the insides. http://simplyscience.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/carrots-grow-underground/