Over and Under the Pond (Over and Under)

by Kate Messner (Author) Christopher Silas Neal (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
Series: Over and Under
"Playful and lovely to read aloud. Even older budding naturalists will find something to enjoy here." — School Library Journal

A secret underwater world brought to life:
 In this book, readers will discover the plants and animals that make up the rich, interconnected ecosystem of a mountain pond. Over the pond, the water is a mirror, reflecting the sky. But under the water is a hidden world of minnows darting, beavers diving, and tadpoles growing. These secrets and many others are waiting to be discovered.over and under the pond. 

• An entertaining and educational look at the beauty the ecosystem has to offer. Stunning illustrations paired with an easy-to-follow storyline make this a great read for any early elementary school student
• Includes a glossary of animals that live in, near, and around the mountain pond to enrich the reading experience
• Inspires a love of nature and encourages young minds to explore the world around them

A gorgeous companion to the acclaimed Over and Under the Snow and Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, Over and Under the Pond is an excellent addition to any emerging readers collection. 


"A contemplative journey through an ecosystem." —USA Today

• Great read-aloud book for families and classrooms
• Books for kids ages 5-8
• Early elementary school books
• Books for grades 1-2
Select format:
Hardcover
$17.99

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Kirkus Reviews

Starred Review
A magical artistic and informational world that readers will delight in visiting again and again.

Publishers Weekly

Starred Review

As day turns to night, a boy and his mother take in the sights above and below their rowboat in this contemplative follow-up to Over and Under the Snow and Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt. Messner's elegant narrative, written from the boy's perspective, creates an intimate connection with the setting ("Over the pond we drift, heads tipped up to the sun. A woodpecker clings to a teetering pine, digging for ants"), and Neal's milky mixed-media images examine the pond and its inhabitants--moose, painted turtles, ospreys, and others--from virtually every angle, soaring high above the water and down into its depths to dazzling effect. Ages 5-8. Author's agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary. Illustrator's agent: Stephen Barr, Writers House. (Mar.)

Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 4—Messner and Neal have followed up on their proven formula (Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt; Over and Under the Snow), this time focusing on the ecosystem of an Adirondack pond at twilight. While a woman and boy in a canoe are seen at various points admiring the pond, the wildlife and plants are the real characters of this story, beautifully illustrated in mixed media. Neal captures minute details that will have readers easily recognizing specific species. With descriptive verbs and the use of onomatopoeia, Messner's prose is both playful and lovely to read aloud, and the slow close of the day and early night depicted make this an ideal bedtime book. An author's note, an "About the Animals" section, and a list of further reading bump up the age of potential readers, as even older budding naturalists will find something to enjoy here. VERDICT Librarians can confidently purchase this title for elementary schoolers.—Courtney Lewis, St. Catherine's School, Richmond, VA

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

 
Kate Messner
KATE MESSNER is passionately curious and writes books that encourage kids to wonder, too. Her titles include award-winning picture books, like Over and Under the Snow; novels, like Breakout and Chirp; the Fergus and Zeke easy reader series, and the popular Ranger in Time chapter books, and works of nonfiction with a focus on nature and history. Before becoming a full time writer, Kate was a TV journalist and National Board certified middle school English teacher. She lives on Lake Champlain with her family and is trying to summit all 46 Adirondack High Peaks in between book deadlines. Visit katemessner.com and Facebook: Kate Messner for more information and follow her on Twitter @katemessner.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9781452145426
Lexile Measure
660
Guided Reading Level
12
Publisher
Chronicle Books
Publication date
March 20, 2017
Series
Over and Under
BISAC categories
JNF051100 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Environmental Science & Ecosystems
JNF003000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Animals | General
JNF037070 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Earth Sciences - Water (Oceans, Lakes, Etc.)
Library of Congress categories
Ponds
Pond ecology

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