Over and Under the Pond

Another gorgeous nature picture book from Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal.

A dark-skinned mother and child float on a pond in a small boat. They look down from above and see turtles, fish, and other creatures from below. Birds fly over the pond, larva build homes under it. Moose eat above the pond, beavers dive deep into the pond. As the day turns to night, the light fades and different creatures come out to float above - and below - the pond.

An author's note addresses the ecosystem of the pond. There is also a picture glossary that adds information about each of the animals pictured. A few resources are included for further reading.

This book has the most dazzling perspectives, showing what the humans' boat might look like from show more below, the contrast between a turtle swimming through the water and a turtle sunning on a log, the slow changes as the daylight fades to evening and night.

I especially appreciated seeing more diversity in books about nature - too often children with darker skin are shown only in urban settings. I've also successfully used this series with children who are struggling with the concepts of "above" and "below".

Verdict: A worthy addition to the series, strongly recommended for use in storytime and nature programs or just for encouraging children and families to explore their world.

ISBN: 9781452145426; Published 2017 by Chronicle; Purchased for the library show less

I'm a big fan of these over and under books in general -- so well done, so thoughtful, such a nice illustration of the web of life, with a well written and researched further reading area in the back. I'm delighted to see a Mom and Son of color as our happy protagonists exploring the pond together.

A young boy asks his mother, “what’s down there?” His mom replies, “under the pond?” She then goes on to state that under the pond is a whole hidden world. But there is also a lot of happening over the pond. There is so much life under and over the pond. There are different animals and different plants living in the pond and above the pond. This book is informative, and easy to read. It will bring out the curiosity in children. At the end of the book children will find descriptions of many different animals, there habitats and what they eat. Fun book to read and learn about animals. It would be fun to take a trip to a nearby pond and observe nearby plants and animals in and outside the pond.

This is a wonderful picture books that takes the reader on a journey to a pond. While a mother and her young son row across the top of the pond, the young boy learns about animals and insects that live both above and below the water. The reader learns the connections both have to the other. There is an author’s note at the back that tells more about these systems. There is also a page that tells the reader about four animals listed in the book.

Being a teacher living a Louisiana, I am sure I'm bound to teach a lesson on ponds/swamps/wetlands at some point in my career, so I decided to give this book a read when I found it at my local library. This book shows a child and his mother canoeing on a pond and discussing the animals they see above and below the surface. While this book does not include detailed scientific facts, I think it would be perfect for introducing young learners to the many different animals and plants found in this type of habitat. Most of the animals in the book are either eating or actively searching for food, so it would also be beneficial when discussing the food chain. The book ends with a more thorough description of the animals mentioned throughout show more the story, along with suggested books and websites for further reading. I was excited to discover that this is part of a series that includes other ecosystems. show less

Incredibly beautiful words and art take you on a magical journey among the creatures who live over and under a pond. The colors, perspective, and scenes are all original and evocative. The illustrations in this book are gorgeous, and really carry the book. Five stars for the pictures alone. The story is beautiful, too, but the art is so captivating.

Bonus! There is a section in the back of the book that provides more information about the creatures that appear throughout the book.

Very highly recommended. This would make an excellent gift book, or giving tree book.

This is a mother using a quick trip in a rowboat to teach her son all about what is all around the pond. The books alternates between what is over or on the pond like lilly pads, birds, a log with turtles and what is under the surface of the water like fish, frogs, insects, etc.

The constant back and forth is not overdone, it provides a balance and the words are very rhythmic too, though I am not sure they qualify as poetry.