August 1, 2011
PreS-This offering focuses on creatures that live in or near ponds, with a human child included at the end. A simple question-and-answer format presents a single physical characteristic of each one and then inquires, "Whose baby is this?" Children will quickly catch on to the pattern and the idea that a page turn is necessary to learn the answer. Whether it is white spots that indicate a fawn or a wiggly tail to represent a tadpole, Falwell's colorful collages incorporate the given features. The story concludes with some movement exercises that will help kids mimic the animals' actions. A page at the end is devoted to outdoor activities suitable for enhancing a child's sensory experiences and awareness of nature. The soft hues of the illustrations evoke the wonder of springtime. Combine this title with Denise Fleming's In the Small, Small Pond (Holt, 1993) for a unit on streams and ponds.-Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT
Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
July 1, 2011
A mother and child examine features of different pond animals ("This baby has a wiggly tail. Whose baby is this?"); answers appear after a page turn ("Frog's baby"). The effective patterned text, illustrated with unfussy cut-paper collages, concludes by bringing the child back into the mix: "Whose baby is this? MY baby!" A "Be a Pond Baby!" activity page is appended.
(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)