At the Pond
(Paws, Fins, Feathers, Claws)

Elliott invites readers into another poetic exploration of the natural world. . . With each page-turn, Elliott's sensory verse introduces a new resident of this habitat. . . Richly textured mixed-media illustrations present views of the pond and its inhabitants throughout the day. . . a celebration of observation, and readers will surely heed the beckoning call of that red-winged blackbird beyond the book's pages.

A lovely picture book about plants and animals native to pond ecosystems. . . . The mixed-media illustrations are vibrant and detailed and, like the poems, capture the interplay between the various entities that share the pond habitat. . . Perfect for reading out loud.

Gr 3-4--Elliott's appreciative introduction to animals at a pond invites observation and enjoyment. At daybreak, "The red-winged blackbird spreads his sail/ and sings his hello morning song." A leaping bullfrog shares the dawning day, followed by 16 pond dwellers moving through 13 inviting double-page views. Elliott's nicely structured poems, most in blank verse, vary in simplicity and clarity for children. Schimler-Safford's skillful collage conveys setting and animals with beauty, energy, and bits of humor. For instance, a handsome duck family ("What a swimming portrait/ the dabbing mallards make") is soon followed by Harry the catfish, the only named animal, who has been given "a loving appellation" by an unspecified "they." A water strider is "Enigmatic/ yet prolific/ Each day/ he writes/ his story/ in rippling hieroglyphics." There are also beavers, muskrats, water snakes, and more. The pond appears to be in a remote area, the sun rising and setting over a spare hillside. A small boat or two appear occasionally, and two children once dash into view, setting startled turtles and geese into motion. The format of the book is very attractive, but many of the poems will be elusive for the younger grades. There's no definition or explanation of ponds, and while the concluding notes on plants and animals are interesting and fun, facts and explanation about each species are lacking. VERDICT A pleasant book for animal and poetry fans of varied ages.--Margaret Bush

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Whimsical, energetic, impressionistic poems and luminous, layered illustrations bring the world of a pond to life and show how its inhabitants move, behave, and interact throughout the day. . . these are evocative, memorable, and gently humorous poems that artfully capture the atmosphere and details of the environment. . . these poems showcase the natural world in breathtaking detail.