• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

A Field Trip Life

Books, places, and books that take you places

  • About
  • Books
    • Evie’s Field Day: More Than One Way to Win
    • Tess & The Waves
    • George The Giraffe Books
    • Raven’s Gift: A Feathered Flight of Faith
    • Nancy Bess Had a Dress
  • Author Visits
    • Invite Claire
    • Events
  • Field Notes
    • Book Reviews by Claire
    • Latest News in Your Inbox
  • Resources
  • Contact

U is for Underground

April 24, 2014 Claire Annette Noland Leave a Comment

Doesn’t it seem as though there may be entire worlds that exist underground? In today’s a-z challenge I thought I’d look down, underground.

forestiereIn Fresno, you actually can visit an underground world, the Forestiere Underground Gardens. Baldassare Forestiere was an Italian immigrant to Central California. Between 1906 and 1946, Forestiere created and built a large maze of underground rooms based on the ancient catacombs. Forestiere had big plans. He carved out over ten acres of worthless farmland which he hoped someday would be a Mediterranean resort. By hand he chipped away at the hard soil with picks, shovels, a wheelbarrow, and a scraper pulled by his two mules.He carved out tunnels, rooms, patios, and grottos. He lived in this underground world, sheltered from the intense Fresno summer heat.
fresnoundergroundgardenThe gardens interested me the most. Forestiere built skylights and figured out how to bring in water. If you visit in the summer you can see a variety of grapes growing on vines and citrus trees. There is even one tree which was grafted to grow seven varieties of citrus.
The Forestiere Gardens are a California State Historical Monument and are definitely worth a visit is you are traveling in Fresno.

undergroundUnderGround
written and illustrated by Denise Fleming
Beach Lane Books, 2012
picture book ages 3-8

What child doesn’t love to dig in the dirt? I think most children have attempted to dig to the other side of the world. In underGround, Denise Fleming shares the amazing world that lies below the earth’s surface. With a simple rhyming text and brilliant illustrations, Denise Fleming brings to life the world that lies under our feet. We see rabbits, moles, and worms and their tunnels and burrow. Roots, and bulbs, and things that have been left behind are revealed. This is a book that invites the reader to spend time exploring the rich world that exists underground.

london-underground-sign-16658941One more underground place that I must mention is the London Underground which is the best way to get around the city. I love going down in one neighborhood and walking up into a completely different place. Who wouldn’t want to get out and see King’s Cross, Earl’s Court, or Paddington Station?

Filed Under: Books, Field Trips, Places Tagged With: a-z blog challenge, field trips, Forestiere Underground gardens, Fresno CA, London Underground, Underground by Denise Flemng

Previous Post: « T is for Tea Time
Next Post: V is for Voyage »

Reader Interactions

Join the Discussion! Cancel reply

Please submit your comment with a real name.

Thanks for your feedback!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Hello. I’m Claire Annette - reader, writer, teacher, and field trip planner extraordinaire. Here at A Field Trip Life you will find ideas for adventures large and small and the kids’ books that inspire them. Sign your permission slip. Let's go!

Connect With Me!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Join the Fun, Subscribe to a Field Trip Life Monthly!

Subscribe

* indicates required

Review Policy

Click Here for Review Policy

Search

Categories

MCBookDay-white-21-300x234



Copyright © 2025 | A Field Trip Life | Claire Annette Noland | All Rights Reserved