OLDER THAN DIRT by Don Brown & Dr. Mike Perfit.  New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017.  104p.  ISBN 978-054480503-3 hc. $18.99   Gr. 4-6    J Graphic Novel

This self-described "kind-sorta biography of earth" is a conversation between a groundhog and a worm who meet up when groundhog digs a hole near worm's tunnel.  They begin to talk about dirt, the earth, and how the planet was formed 14 trillion years ago.  One thing leads to another, and they're soon discussing the earth's core, volcanos, tectonic formations, weather, and living organisms.  The "biography" follows a geologic timeline from the big bang to present day and ends with graphics of the Geologic Eras, a 24-Hour Earth Clock, and a map of tectonic plates which clarify the scientific information in the book.  Don Brown's unique style of pairing graphic illustration with nonfiction stories, such as GREAT AMERICAN DUST BOWL and DROWNED CITY, makes history (and now geology) come to life.  Dr. Perfit, a geologist from the University of Florida, served as technical writer on this project. 
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI  49855