Pond Walk
Description
From School Library Journal PreS-Gr 3–An endearing bear and his mother visit Pete's Pond to observe, identify, and investigate animals, insects, and plants. The crisp collage illustrations incorporate photos of flora and fauna, and the young naturalist's childlike colored-pencil drawings of specimens are scattered throughout. Warmed with gentle humor, Wallace's charmer presents an informative overview and a helpful model for exploration. α(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. PreS-Gr 3 In this well-composed picture book, Buddy Bear and his mother spend a summer day observing and sketching pond life. Buddy hopes to spot a turtle. He makes notes and draws many of the plants, bugs, and animals he sees while his mom reads factual information from a field guide. Specimens include ducks and geese, a whirligig beetle, a frog, cattails, duckweed, water lilies, dragonflies and damselflies, a salamander, and a pond skater. Buddy does see a turtle briefly and also spots one in the clouds and in a rock formation. Interspersed in the sequential text are Buddy s love of food and his sense of humor in the form of some nature jokes and puns. Wallace s familiar mixed-media collage illustrations (cut paper, photographs, and colored pencil) make this a visually appealing and informative look at limnology. Instructions are included for making a rock turtle. --School Library Journal, April, 2011Gr. PreK-3 Buddy and Mama Bear head for Pete s Pond, where they enjoy observing the animals and plants. Like any good naturalist, Buddy makes drawings in his notebook and labels them. Armed with a handy field guide, Mama answers Buddy s questions, offers facts about pond life, and exchanges riddles with her son. The colorful collage illustrations combine elements of cut paper, photos, and colored pencils. A simple craft project is appended. Written with an understanding of what will interest children this picture book from Buddy Bear series provides an accessible introduction to ponds and their inhabitants. --Booklist, March 15, 2011 Nancy Elizabeth Wallace uses cut paper, scissors, and a glue stick to prepare her three-dimensional colorful artwork. Nancy is the author of a number of picture books, including Seeds! Seeds! Seeds! , Recycle Every Day! , Pumpkin Day! , The Valentine Express , and Alphabet House . She lives in Branford, Connecticut with her husband, Peter. Read more
Features & Highlights
- Buddy and his mother are spending a relaxing day at Pete’s Pond. As Mama tells Buddy about the animals, bugs, and plants they see, Buddy sketches them on his drawing pad. Ducks! Whirligig beetles! Lily pads! Buddy is curious about everything, but most of all, he hopes to see a turtle. And he does—but not the kind he expected! This book, illustrated with photographs and cut-paper artwork, is a perfect introduction to environmental science and biology, but will also be useful to all enthusiastic pond goers. A make-a-rock turtle craft activity is included.
