Pond Year [Hardcover]

Kathryn Lasky (Author), Mike Bostock (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1995 | Age Level: 3 and up

A shallow, mucky pond becomes the site of intrigue and wonder for two best friends as they discover floating frogs' eggs in springtime, wild lady's slippers in summer, thick algae and damselflies in the autumn, and skate-ready ice in winter.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This elegy to algae will tantalize even the finicky with its playful presentation of creative pond-slumming. Two six-year-olds-Carole and the unnamed narrator-kick off a year of pond games in April: still wearing mittens, they fashion miniature rafts from twigs with leaves for sails. As temperatures rise, scum spreads and thickens over the water; the girls then wade thigh-high and emerge with elegant "mud silk" stockings. After gathering frogs'-egg jelly, the "scum chums" watch as tadpoles form. Later they construct luge-style mudslides for racing crawdads; examine the "secret" ladyslippers, salamanders, damselfly wings, etc.; and, finally, see their reflections in November's clear black ice. Laced with informative facts and brimming with Bostock's (Think of an Eel) at once exuberant and delicate watercolors, this book is both a comical salute to friendship and a field guide. Ages 4-up.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3?Two six-year-old girls are "pond buddies." All through the seasons they play together in or around the neighborhood pond, discovering wonders from tadpoles to dragonflies. A good deal of information is couched in the nostalgic, gently humorous story. Large, brightly colored illustrations bring the watery world to life, but do less well for human beings. The best friends are depicted in stiff postures with doll-like faces, counteracting the text, which shows them as lively, curious, independent characters. Nevertheless, the book makes a good read-aloud, as well as a pleasant introduction to nature.?Ruth S. Vose, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (May 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564021874
• ISBN-13: 978-1564021878
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,834,295 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Hi Readers! Thanks for coming by my author page. I've written all sorts of books - from fantasy about animals to books about science. One of my favorite animal fantasy series, Guardians of Ga'Hoole, is a major motion picture. I liked writing about Ga'Hoole so much that I decided to revisit that world in a new series, Wolves of the Beyond. Visit my website, www.kathrynlasky.com to see a slide show about the real wolves I researched for the series and for the latest update on the Guardians of Ga'Hoole movie. All my best, Kathryn

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It brought back memories, April 13, 2005

By 

Marina Blystone "rina" (atlanta) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pond Year (Hardcover)

I have always loved reading this book to my preschoolers during

my Pond Unit. I'm retiring this year and decided to purchase my own copy since I usually used a library book. I was horrified to find out that it is out of print. Not only does the book bring back memories of playing and exploring in the water as a child, I always hoped it would encourage curiousity in today's t.v. saturated children. I loved pointing out that the two girls are not afraid of the insects or the salmanders or of getting dirty.

This book teaches so much.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Children's Book, November 2, 2003

By 

"[e-mail]" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pond Year (Library Binding)

I'm very disappointed to see that this book is out of print. It is my absolute favorite children's book. The language is quite poetic and is a book I never get tired of reading to my 4-year-old, who has had her copy since age 2 (we need to start taking better care of her copy). Not only is the language beautiful but the illustrations are as well. It's great to read about two young girls who play by the pond watching bugs, catching tadpoles and crawdaddies. a wonderful inspiriation for any young girl or boy, or parent for that matter. It sure did fill me with tears on my first reading.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best pond book ever, July 23, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Pond Year (Hardcover)

I can't believe this book is out of print! Kids LOVE this book, it's a great book about two little girls who are nuts about ponds. There's so much to like in this book--active curious girls who like the outdoors, friendship, pond ecology, having fun with dad, seasons, . . . . Dag, what a shame. Buy it used!