Title: Over and Under the Pond
Author: Kate Messner
Illustrator: Christopher Silas Neal
Publisher: Chronicle Books, 2017
Ages: 5-8
Themes: pond ecology
Genre: nonfiction
40 pages
Opening:
Over the pond we slide, splashing through
lily pads, sweeping through reeds.
The water’s a mirrror reflecting the sky.
Sunshine and clouds_then a shadow below.
“What’s down there?” I ask.
“Under the pond?” Mom says.
Synopsis:
In Over and Under the Pond, readers follow and mom and child kayaking across a mountain pond. They discover the plants and animals that make up the rich, interconnected ecosystem of this aquatic world. Over the pond, woodpeckers, storks, beetles…. But under the pond is a hidden world of minnows darting, otters clawing for freshwater mussels, tadpoles growing…
There are many treasures waiting to be discovered over and under the pond.
Why I like this book:
I am an avid swimmer in and kayaker on inland ponds and lakes and love to stop, especially on the kayak, and float so that I can observe the nature around and below me.
This is the third gem in a series ( (Over and Under the Snow and Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt being the first two). The beautiful scenes presented by Messner and in their collaboration truly make science and nature fun and I think could persuade even the most avid couch potato to make a trip to their nearest wetlands to explore.
The mixed media illustrations use subtle shadings. Who knew there were so many green and bluey-green shades? Messner is a masterful wordsmith, skilfully using description and onomatopoeia to mimic the sounds and movement of nature. We become as excited as the little boy who realizes there’s a teeming world beloow
Resources/Activities:
Teachers can use this book in ecosystem units.
This is the perfect season to take children out to explore their local pond life.
Find more “Perfect Picture Book Friday” reviews at Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog HERE.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
I love these books! Can hardly wait to see this new one.
What a beautiful story about a mother and son exploring the wonders of nature. Kids will be fascinated with what’s happening beneath the water.
I was immediately drawn to the front cover illustration. That’s always a good sign I’m going to enjoy the whole book. I also love that this book is part of a teaching series of nature books for children. I hope my library has all three.
Such a beautiful cover!
Joanna, I love Kate Messner’s books. I look forward to reading this one.
I love Kate’s books – can’t wait to read this one.
I haven’t seen this one yet, but hope to do so soon. Great review!