The Dirt!
By Lindsey Leigh
Middle grade illustrated nonfiction
Penguin Workshop, November 25, 2025; 96 pages
Series: Wild Life At…
Subrights Info
- Translation rights available via Janna Co.
- UK/ANZ rights available via Penguin Random House
- Film/TV rights available via Janna Co.
- Merchandising and commercial rights available via Janna Co.
Dig into the often messy world of critters who live underground and learn about why soil is essential to life on earth! Did you know there is an entire ecosystem right beneath our feet? Have you ever heard of the “poop loop”? This graphic nonfiction title will both educate and excite young readers about the wonders (and creepiness!) of animals that live underground, including worms, beetles, armadillos, badgers, and even the tiniest of protozoa.
Author and illustrator Lindsey Leigh continues her popular and humorous trilogy by introducing critters of all sizes in this fact-filled book about the dirt-dwelling creatures that contribute to the soil food web and are crucial to the health of the world. Join her on this graphic and grimy deep dive into The Dirt!
Reviews
“Burrows brilliantly into its topic with a will and a wink.”
“This engaging starter look at soil and the variety of the flora and fauna that live in it is a solid and appealing purchase for all libraries.”
“Though students likely take soil for granted, this standout overview showcases how fascinating it can be.”
This book might appeal to fans of Everything Awesome About Dinosaurs by Mike Lowery, Science Comics: Coral Reefs by Maris Wicks, and Down, Down, Down by Steve Jenkins.
If you are a rights buyer or a reviewer and wish to access the pdf, email me.
Author Bio
Lindsey Leigh is an illustrator and comic artist originally from Maryland. She has a BFA in illustration from Syracuse University as well as an MA in graphic design from the Maryland Institute College of Art. In between, she also interned at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in the entomology department, diligently illustrating beetles. Her work is inspired by mythology, folklore, and the natural world. Though her work ranges from the cozy and comforting to the unsettling and spooky, she aims to imbue even the scariest monster with a tender charm. She also has an encyclopedic knowledge of weird animal facts and a passionate love for snails and slugs. Her most recent books include Sick!, The Deep!, and The Dark! She currently lives in Massachusetts. Visit Lindsey at http://www.lindseyleighart.com.
Other Titles
