Kathy Henderson’s “And The Good Brown Earth” (2003) celebrates backyard adventures through a child’s eyes. Think dirt clumps becoming fairy mountains or carrot tops turning into jungle plants. This British author/illustrator – known for maritime tales like “The Little Boat” – unexpectedly creates earthy magic here using finger-painted textures and real kids’ garden sketches.

The 32-page picture book shows seasonal changes through simple stuff: digging for worms, planting bean seeds, watching snow cover muddy boot prints. It’s like Eric Carle’s “The Tiny Seed” meets mud-pie cooking class. Sentences stay short (“Look! Roots drink rain”), making it perfect for new readers. About a decade ago, some teachers called it “too messy” compared to neat nature books, but that messy energy became its charm.

Fun detail: The spotted ladybug hidden on each page was inspired by Henderson’s granddaughter finding real insects during their garden walks. While the book doesn’t mention climate change directly, its tactile descriptions of crumbling soil and thirsty plants make environmental care feel personal. Pair it with Lois Ehlert’s “Growing Vegetable Soup” for outdoor learning activities.