Author Profile
Kate Messner
2 Books
Kate Messner is an award-winning American author known for her extensive and diverse body of work for young readers, ranging from picture books to middle-grade novels. She is celebrated for engaging stories that often weave in history, nature, and social issues, such as the Ranger in Time series, Breakout, and the Over and Under nature picture books. A former middle school teacher, Messner brings a deep understanding of her audience to her writing, crafting narratives that are both educational and highly entertaining.
Books in "Over and Under"
Wander into a bustling backyard garden and uncover a spectacular world buzzing with life from the top of the leaves to deep underground. Every garden holds a beautiful secret, and as the seasons change, a remarkable ecosystem goes to work right beneath your feet. Up in the garden, everything is vibrant and green as you spot ripening vegetables, blooming flowers, and busy insects soaring through the sunlight. But down in the dirt, an entirely different neighborhood is just as active. You will dig into the dark soil to find earthworms tunneling, skunks burrowing, and helpful insects resting in the cool shadows. This beautifully illustrated journey invites you to look closer at nature and appreciate the hidden creatures that help our plants grow. It is a wonderful celebration of the outdoors that will inspire you to grab a trowel and start exploring the marvelous dirt in your own backyard.
6-8 Years
57 Pages
Glide through a quiet winter woods where a secret world is waiting just beneath your skis. When a young girl and her father head out on a cross-country ski trip, they discover that the snowy landscape is not as empty as it seems. Above the snow, the forest is hushed and still. But deep down in the subnivean zone, an entire kingdom of wildlife is busy surviving the chilly winter. Follow along as you peek into the hidden homes of red squirrels, burrowing voles, sleeping bears, and snoozing bullfrogs. You will learn exactly how these fascinating creatures stay warm and safe until spring arrives. With gorgeous illustrations and gentle, educational text, this beautiful exploration of nature shows you the magic of the changing seasons and the incredible ways animals adapt to the cold.
6-8 Years
42 Pages
