Pond [Paperback]

Donald Silver (Author), Patricia Wynne (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: One Small Square

Fish and fungi, plants and protists, mammals and monera all seem to get along swimmingly in and around the peaceful-looking pond environment. But a closer look at a small square reveals an ever-changing world. . .home to a larger variety of creatures and goings-on than you'd ever imagine, even in just a drop of its water! This beautifully illustrated "you are there" science book--part of the critically acclaimed One Small Square series--is brimming over with fun-to-do experiments and activities for children ages 7 and up. Includes a pond field guide, a glossary-index, and a resource list.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 3-5, younger with the help of an adult. From the One Small Square series, this heavily illustrated book encourages children to observe the plants and animals that live in, on, above, and around a pond. With safety concerns and respect for wildlife apparent, it shows children how to measure off a 24-inch square for observation, keep a notebook, look underwater with a homemade viewer, examine mud dwellers, and make a diorama of the pond. Though the format is rather crowded, the book has good, full-color illustrations (sometimes magnified to show microscopic views), and a wealth of information about the rich ecosystem of a pond. Carolyn Phelan --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Pond life is not as placid and familiar as it might seem. Under a lily pad. . .beneath the ice. . .in just one drop of pond water, you'll find a complex ecosystem, teeming with life. A close look at one small square of a typical pond shows it to be a not-always-peaceable kingdom, where birds, insects, fish protozoa, and plants all coexist. With the fascinating facts and fun-to-do activities in this book, children will discover that, when it comes to pond life, still water runs deep. Pond is just one of the exciting, vibrantly illustrated volumes in the critically acclaimed ne Small Square series of science and nature books for children ages 7 and up. Each book includes: Stunning full-color illustrations of each habitat and its creatures; Motivating experiments and activities, along with clear, diagrammed instructions and safety tips; A picture field guide to the habitat; A glossary-index and resource list. One Small Square--an eye-opening series originally published in hardcover--puts the whole world in perspective for children, one small square at a time. Each book is a thrilling, up-close encounter with mammals, insects, plants, birds, fish, amphibians, bacteria, and the ecosystems in which they live. "Science education at its best."--Science Books and Films. Donald M. Silver is the author of more than 40 science books for children and teachers alike. In addition to the award-winning One Small Square series, he has written The Animal World, Why Save the Rain Forest?, Extinction Is Forever, and The Dinosaur Activity Book--all illustrated by Patricia J. Wynne.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (March 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070579326
• ISBN-13: 978-0070579323
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #298,021 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Professional & Technical > Education > Specific Skills > Science & Technology
  • #59 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Environment & Ecology > Nonfiction

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing But Nice Things to Say About It, April 19, 2005

By 

Robert Hamilton IV "aiptasia" (Canton, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pond (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book that can be enjoyed by all age groups and levels of education. The book's introduction says "Although a pond looks peaceful, a pond is home to more creatures doing more things than you imagined. There are millions of ponds everywhere. . .there is a good chance that one is close to your home."

The book does a good job of telling the reader about these creatures and their activities. Pond is written primarily for younger readers. From the beginning it stresses safety and adult involvement in the field activities. The book has excellent illustrations of the pond organisms and the equipment needed for the field activities. The pictures are very communicative and would be enjoyed by younger readers. The accompanying text may be a little beyond their understanding.

Overall the book describes the pond creatures, their habitats, and their activities. Some of the habitats mentioned include the surface film, lily pads, water column, and bottom muck (benthos). Some activities covered are feeding, laying eggs, photosynthesis, and absorbing oxygen, plus others. The book also talks about changing conditions in a pond, such as when it rains, nightime critters and activities, and the pond during different seasons.

The end of the book has seven pages of common pond creatures. It groups them by mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, non-insect invertebrates, plants, fungi, protists, and monera. Both this section and the well-organized index contain many pictures. The groupings may be lost on younger readers, but are very useful for higher level students.

All in all I really like this book. It is well organized and an enjoyable read. As a college educator I use this book as a reference source, yet can read it and show the wonderful illustrations to my young nieces.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Small Square -- Pond, April 15, 2001

By 

Ilil Arbel, Ph.D. (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pond (Paperback)

This is one of the best books in a spectacular series that represnts the world, particularly to the young child, as a place of science, high drama, and magic. The magnificent illustrations of Patricia J. Wynne, the world-renowned natural history artist, pull the reader into the world of the small small pond with power and intimacy that no photograph could ever match; the clear and concise text of Donald M. Silver encourages the exploration of science and the joy of reading. I highly recommend this book to teachers, libraries, and parents everywhere, and suggest pursuing the rest of the series as well.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book For Kids Who Like Water, August 8, 2011

By 

LBart - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pond (Paperback)

This book is a one of the gems of the One Small Square series. All of the One Small Square series, take the kids from the couch to outside even if all they do is read the book. Reading the book provides a host of information but actually getting out experiencing nature is a whole new level.

I would suggest this book for any kid (both young and old) that would like to learn more about a pond and its inhabitants. It doesn't replace a field guide, but in used in conjunction with it. The book does have some outlines and drawings for a basic identification.

One enhancement I would add for the book is more emphasis on sketching in a nature journal and writing. They talk about it in the beginning but I think a few reminders during the book would be helpful.