The Street Beneath My Feet

Have you ever wondered what is below the concrete of the pavement? Or watched the water rushing down the gutter into the drains? Where does it go? There is a whole world underneath the surface of our world and Guillain and Zommer have made it their business to effect an introduction.

Since the journey is digging down, their book has been designed with this in mind; it gradually unfolds as the reader travels through different layers, going ever deeper until the central core is reached. Then the traveller begins a journey back up to the surface. This allows the authors to pace the information that goes with each layer. The text is packaged neatly and delivered in small bites set against the continually changing groundscape. Here are no photographs with captions. The illustrator draws us into this underground world populated with small creatures, technology, bones, minerals – and finally lava. The information is concise, direct and friendly in tone, designed to appeal to its young audience many of whom will be able to access it for themselves. From its attractive cover inviting the reader to open the book to the final dramatic cut-away earth, this is a welcome addition to the way information is being offered to children whether in school or at home.