Up Down and Around Big Book

Up, Down and Around is a joyous, rhythmic celebration of how plants grow and how life moves-in every direction! This vibrant big book, written by Katherine Ayres and illustrated with energy and colour, takes young readers on a sensory journey from seeds in the soil to corn bursting from stalks. Whether it's ants tunnelling underground, children chasing butterflies, or vines climbing skyward, each page pulses with movement and discovery. The rhythmic text, paired with sprightly illustrations, promotes early literacy, fosters observation of the natural world, and inspires active participation. The large format (32.4 x 40.5 cm) makes it ideal for group reading in early years classrooms. This big book encourages children aged 3-5 to explore movement, direction, and the wonders of plant life in an accessible and delightful way.

Educational benefits

• Reinforces directional language and concepts such as up, down, and around.
• Encourages observation and discussion of how things grow.
• Develops early literacy and rhythmic reading through repetition and rhyme.
• Supports science understanding of life cycles and nature.

Classroom ideas

• Outdoor activity: Plant seeds and observe their growth stages.
• Drama: Act out the different movements described in the book.
• Vocabulary building: Identify and list all verbs related to movement.
• Art project: Draw your own garden with things growing in all directions.

Information

• Ages: 3-5 years
• Dimensions: 32.4(W) x 40.5(H) cm
• 32 pages, paperback