Book Description

Travel with author-illustrator Thomas Locker and follow our planet's most precious resource--water--on its daily journey through our world.
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Reviews (8)

Artistic, Poetic and Educational?
Wonderful read for the whole family. This is a book we look forward to reading to our little one, over and over. The art work is fantastic, the words are entertaining and has a section at the end of the book to educate about all the cycles of water. Do not hesitate to add this to your library!

Water Dance is a beautiful way to learn
Thomas Locker's beautiful oil paintings make "Water Dance" a work of art and a wonderful way for kids to learn about the water cycle.I decided to see what's out there for kids about water and began with "Water Dance," "Where the River Begins," and "Cloud Dance," all by Locker. I fell in love with his art and . . . also bought "Sky Tree" and several others.
I just published a review of approximately 20 kids water books titled "Teaching Children about the Hydrologic Cycle." To read, go to www.ndwc.wvu.edu and click on the current issue of "On Tap," a magazine about drinking water in small communities.

The dance of the water through our world
"Water Dance" by Thomas Locker is one of those books you pick up because you like the look of the cover, a lake nestled amongst the hills beneath the purple sky of dusk, and then when you finish reading it you discovered it was actually teaching you something. "Water Dance" is actually about the water cycle, which starts with the rain that becomes a mountain stream that empties in a lake that is linked by a river to the sea. The cycle ends when the seawater becomes mist that forms into clouds and leads to a thunderstorm that once again brings the rain. Locker's thirteen paintings depicting the water cycle and accompanied by a poetic text describing each step of the process. In the back of the book each painting is reproduced in miniature as Candance Christiansen provides scientific information about what Locker is showing us about water. Students will find out about such things as the different types of clouds, what causes rainbows, and how the water in their bathtub might have been part of the Nile River a month earlier. "Water Dance" is a marvelous way of introducing young students to the water cycle. They will enjoy Locker's paintings even more once they learn how they all fit together to show one of the basic processes of nature. Teachers will be able to use "Water Dance" as an introduction to all sorts of science lessons.

Inquisitive soon-to-be-4-year-old can't put it down!
I bought this book as a gift for my friend's son. He wanted to read over and over again for days (and it looks like this will continue for some time!) The pictures are absolutely beautiful, the poetry soothing, inspiring and educational, and this 3-year-old insists on reading the scientific explanations at the end of the book every time. I can't imagine a child (or an adult!) who wouldn't enjoy it!

Water Dance
This review is by way of one of my 3rd grade students, who said that "this book is so beautiful that it make my heart hurt." After looking at the pictures and reading the wonderful descriptive phrases, I had to agree with her. It has become a favorite book to read when I need to quiet my classes down--and invariably, at least one student asks for the name and author so that they, too, can own it. ... Read more

Book Description

A Day at the Beach. A seaside counting book from one to ten., is a delightful book for parents, grandparents, teachers and friends to share with their children. You will travel from page to page adding objects that describe the numerals shown. In the case of "2, Two girls playing in the sand," the numeral 2, words two and girls, are all colored dark blue while the rest of the text is colored green. This sends a subliminal message to your child that the 2, two and girls are related. This system helps teach youngsters the relationship code needed to read. Your child will discover and count seagulls, dolphins, seagulls, octopus legs, sailboats and seashells. The brilliantly colored objects will delight everyone who explores this Day at the Beach adventure. ... Read more

Book Description

After rain comes down, the sun comes out and dries the puddles. But the water isn't gone. The heat from the sun has turned it into water vapor-it has evaporated. Eventually, this moisture in the air condenses to form new clouds. Soon the rain will fall again. Read on to find out all the ups and downpours of the water cycle!

Reviews (1)

Where Does It Come From?
Down Comes The Rain is an excellent book that introduces to young children the formation of rain and where it actually comes from. It also discusses the transformation of water into ice and also the evaporation of water. Children can understand the book through its simple terms and colorful illustrations. Rain is just one of the many things that young children often wonder about. It is a very good book that can be added to any elementary classroom when discussing a unit on weather or simply to have at home to read togther on rainy days! Many hands-on activities, such as putting a teaspoon of water into a saucer and coming back to see that it has evaporated into the air, can be done by using this book. I have added this book to my list that I plan to use in the classroom! ... Read more

Book Description

Kids will love all the interactive adventures in the Nature Trailseries.Each book features touch-and-feel pages that stimulate a child'scuriosity and make learning about the natural world an entertaining experience. Feel the sticky nectar of a flower, then turn the flap to reveal the stickytongue of an anteater.Touch the leathery feet of a seagull, then turn the flapand find a crab scuttling over the rocks.Every page is filled with MauricePledger's stunning and detailed illustrations and endearing animal characters. Hit the trail in all four adventures: By the Seashore, In the Forest, In theRain Forest, and On the Mountain.Kids will also love Maurice Pledger's StickerBooks and Peek-and-Find Books. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This book is awesome!
This is a great book for introducing children to a variety of textures. It does this by incorporating typical seashore elements with textures a small child can feel. In addition the reader has to hunt for hidden treasure throughout the book. This provides a fascinating learning experience for young children. Our one year old absolutely loves it! ... Read more

Book Description

Charming illustrations and playful rhythmic verse make real-life learning fun by taking babies and toddlers on an adventurous discovery of water and its many sources.

Squeezable and floatable, Water, Water, Everywhere can be enjoyed in and out of the tub. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fun to read (and chew on)
This book is fun to read to a baby of any age. My son (who is 6 months) sometimes likes to look at the pictures, but also likes to chew on the book (gums only of course), which is perfectly fine since it is made of a waterproof material similar to that of an inner tube. Not my favorite book in the collection, but I do like taking it out from time to time. ... Read more

Book Description

‘Children and adults of various ages, races, and physical abilities tour a public aquarium to look at many of the world’s marine creatures. The language is almost lyrical…[and] the story is alive with color and action.’—SLJ. ‘A versatile author at her best.… In the large, cheerful illustrations, action-filled spreads are varied with portrait vignettes, and underwater scenes with the visitors’ enthusiastic responses.’—K.

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children 1994 (NSTA/CBC)
1993 "Pick of the Lists" (ABA)
1996 Garden State (NJ) Children's Nonfiction Award ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent to introduce young children to visiting aquariums.
My son is almost 3 and loves to read this book along with me. We have supplemented this book with actual "field trips" to a local aquarium and he enjoys the relationship between what we read and what we see. The author has included many interesting and informative facts without "going over" the little ones' heads. We recommend it!

A beautifully illustrated trip to the Aquarium.
My visit to the Aquarium captures the feeling of being at the Aquarium with its beautiful illustrations. The author has very thoughtfully included a diverse gathering of people who visit this Aquarium, including a young girl who is using a wheelchair. There is so much information to teach a child who is reading this book about fish, sealife nad other water resources. My daughter exclaims her excitement when looking at the illustrations in this book. It is truly a visit to the Aquarium with out ever having to leave the house. We have renewed this book three times from the library and have decided to add it to our perminent collection since it is liked by every member of the family, adults as well as children. We know you'll love it too

An absolutely wonderful book for the entire family !
Akiki's 'My Visit to the Aquarium' is another wonderful addition in her series of children's books about nature and science. For us, it became the inspiration to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium while on vacation in California. I can still recall my six year old son's excitement as he acted as our "tour giude" from the knowledge he gained from this book. Beautifully illustrated. ... Read more

Book Description

Do you know which sea creature scares away its enemies by spraying ink at them . . . or which fish has lights inside its mouth to attract food?

Learn the answer to these questions and other fascinating details about ocean life in this engaging and informative book.

Young readers will delight in Jerry Pallotta's words and Frank Mazzola, Jr's illustrations on this alphabetical journey through the North Atlantic Ocean. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Way to Complex for the stated age group
This book is way to complex for a 3 year old! The letter "X" is Xiphias gladius (the scientific name for a swordfish)!

Beautiful pictures, but too long for preschool
This is a wonderfully illustrated book, with lots ofinteresting information. Just make sure your child has a longattention span if you intend to read it all at once!

Another Way to Look at the Alphabet
"A" doesn't always have to stand for "apple," especially when dealing with older children who haven't mastered the alphabet yet. This book is great to read aloud with young children because of the vivid pictures and interesting topics. The book lends itself to many different extension activities and will encourage children to want to learn more about the ocean. It's a great way to begin a study on ocean animals. I learned something new myself! ... Read more

Book Description

The ocean is an adventure made for kids!Underwater mountains that are larger than Everest. Giant squid with tentacles long enough to wrap around a school bus.Murky waters lit by luminescent fish.And glorious coral reefsNalas, endangered by plastic pollution. With Diving into Oceans, dozens of action-oriented marine activities let children explore these and many other magical and mysterious phenomena of the salty sea, whether they live on the coast or far away. ThereOs no need for them to even leave the classroom to get a taste of the salt in the airNat least in their imaginations! Part of the newly revised NatureScope¨ education series of creative, activities-centered resource books, this volume is dedicated to inspiring in children an understanding and appreciation of the natural world, while developing the skills they will need to make responsible decisions about the environment. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

As deep as the ocean itself
In a time of mushrooming materialism and tearing technomania, this delightful book for all ages pays homage to life's precious treasures that can be so easily taken for granted if we are not careful to notice them. Debra Frasier's enchanting collages combine cutouts, photographs, and words to eloquently remind us of the simple pleasures that are right under our noses if we remain open and take a moment to appreciate them.

A joyous celebration of simple treasures.
This is a very sweet book for any age, any setting, to read over and over. I'm buying a stack to use as gifts.

Awsome Photos - Great lesson for kids!
Awsome photos and collage art make this a visually stimulating book for children. The second graders in my class loved it and clearly understood the deeper meaning of appreciating all of the gifts we receive each day - sunrise, air, water, etc. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A GREAT BOOK!
Whether or not you're an amateur on the subject of deep sea biology, but this children's book is suprisingly helpful. Has very simple explanations & the illustrations are beautifully accurate. Any child (or adult!!!) who wants to learn about the deep sea, this really is the book to start with. ... Read more

Book Description

Look-and-Learn At The Ocean introduces young children to various creatures and plantlife on the shore and in the waters of the ocean. The book contains 24 pages with dazzling art depicting various scenes, each one realistically painted with bright, bold, vivid colors. There are detailed scenes of tiny creatures that live in the sand, sea birds, and all kinds offascinating fish and sea creatures.Each spread is designed with a foldout page. When children open the fold, they will uncover illustrations. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Very instructive
Nice colorful pictures. My 3-year old loves it, she learned every single one of them. We have another book from the First Discovery collection and we've come to trust this editor. ... Read more

Book Description

Entertaining and educational activities focusing on the ocean and its creatures… The Ocean Book Aquarium and Seaside Activities and Ideas for all Ages This activity book on the world of the oceans and the living things that inhabit them is filled with experiments, investigations, puzzles, games, and all sorts of fun things to do and learn. The activities were created and contributed by the leading aquatic centers in the United States, including the National Aquarium in Baltimore, the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, Sea World in Ohio, and many others. The activities are designed to teach by doing, and each one has a high entertainment value. Just a few of the topics covered in The Ocean Book include: Whales Seals Sharks Tides Camouflage Fish Sea Turtles Coral Reefs The Ocean Floor Sealab All the activities are ideal for grades K-6, but older children and adults may just learn a thing or two as well. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

GREAT book for ocean studies!
I'm a homeschooling mom, and I'm always looking for activities for our various units.I stumbled upon this book while looking for other ocean books at the library.It really is great "for all ages."Whilesome of the quiz material is a little difficult for the younger set, theexperiments, maps and various word finds and crosswords could be done bychildren as young as five.It covers everything from the water cycle toocean ecology to sea animals.The experiments and card and board gameswork very well with visual learners.A VERY comprehensive study of theocean!Two thumbs up! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (4)

The inspiring story of the River with the Pebbled Bottom
What I like most about Lynne Cherry's environmental history of the Nashua River is that it is not only the story of the death of a river, but also of its rival. "River Ran Wild" begins thousands of years ago when Indian peoples first came through the Nash-a-way River Valley. Cherry tells of the history of the river, surrounding her text with smaller drawings representing the changing cultures of the various times depicted opposite full-page pictures. The two most telling pictures are basically "before" and "after" shots of the same scene: an aerial view of the Nashua River winding through a factory town where the river changes color from blue to green to brown as factories dump their waste into the water, and a final shot of the river restored to health today. Cherry, who has devoted her life to environmental issues, includes a timeline and an introduction that covers in more detail how the ecological death of this river came about, and the various community efforts and governmental laws that resulted in fish and game finally return to the Nashua. All too often book like this can only mourn the loss of another part of our environment, so it is nice to see something that that celebrates one of the all too few instances of success in getting back to what we once had.

This book is fantastic for third graders!
I used this book with my third grade class when they were studying the effects of water pollution on a large body of water. They had already studied Native Americans in second grade and this book just blended the two subjects together. The step by step portrayal of man's harm to the Nashua River helped my children learn about how they were harming the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. Lynne Cherry is a fantastic author and presents two great subjects that are highly interesting to children. Any teacher that teaches either Native Americans or water pollution should include this book in their lessons!

This is one of the greatest books ever written.
This book was given to me at age 12. I am now 17 and it is still my favorite. I will never outgrow the beautiful pictures, or the very important lesson it teaches. Every page is expertly laid out, with exquisite paintings depicting the river and the era being discussed. The message of environmental conservation and protection is inspiring. Lynne Cherry makes this vital part of our existence understandable to young children, and even adults, often the harder group to reach. I highly reccommend this book for anyone who wants their children to appreciate the world around them and learn that they can, and should, do their best to save it.

Scenic AND educational!
This is a beautiful book! The illustrations are breathtaking and it follows an almost "illuminated" type of text structure, similar to that found in "The Mitten" by Jan Brett. Each page is bordered by illustrations of items pertaining to the period in history that the page is depicting - the implements used by Native peoples, animals that live by the river, inventions of the Industrial Revolution, etc. There is much more to talk about on each page than just the environmental theme of the book. This book would fit well in units about Native people, progress/inventions, ecology, water habitats, etc. A must-have for classrooms, homes, and teachers ... Read more

Book Description

A young Indian boy carves a little canoe with a figure inside and names him Paddle-to-the-Sea. Paddle's journey, in text and pictures, through the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean provides an excellent geographic and historical picture of the region. ... Read more

Reviews (52)

Reading this great book made me happy.
If you want to read a good book, Paddle-to-the-Sea would be the best one. It's got loads of excitement. The story is about a little wooden Indian figure in a canoe that travels through the 5 Great Lakes. The Indian boy who carved him wanted him to go to the sea. To find out if he really gets to the sea or not get this great book that I think you would love.

Paddle To The Store And Get A Copy Of This Book!
Paddle-To-The-Sea was one of the first long books my mother read to me [early 60's] and one of the first long books I read on my own. Many elements make this a fantastic book for elementary school-age children: it is an excellent geography lesson, teaching the reader about the Great Lakes region; it shows a character being creative and sending his creation out into the world without knowing if there will be a return for his actions; the payoff for the carver of Paddle-To-The-Sea comes only after a long period of time. When I spent the summer of 1966 in Minnesota with my family, we visited many of the places in the book including Lake Superior. I remember how much the book informed that summer. Several years ago I revisited Lake Superior for the first time since '66 and the images of a small carved Native American in a canoe were still on my mind. Give this book to a young person so they can take its literary journey and have it leave them with a lasting impression.

One of the best children's books ever!
Although this book is quite old, I had never read it before. What a wonderful book I've missed out on! This is a timeless book that encompasses a great story, history, geography, and the good will of people. There were a few lines that made me a bit uncomfortable that referred to Indians, but they really did seem to blend well with the story, and by the end of the book I had a deep appreciation for them. It's quite complicated, short chapter book with some very advanced vocabulary that would be hard for younger children.

I think young kids would like it because of the great story. Older kids would like it because of the huge amount of geography involved, and they could really get into looking at all the maps and follow the path the canoe takes on the way to the ocean. I also think kids in the upper Midwest would learn a lot about their area and maybe a little bit about the Indians who have been in this area for a lot longer than any of us. I really liked the way the author incorporated the different ports the canoe came upon and mentioned things about the town. For example, Duluth was described as "a city on a hill" with iron ore as its export. There were also really nice parts about the wildlife, the storms, and the general scenery that the canoe encounters.

Besides the wonderful story, the drawings and illustrations are exceptional. There are illustrations of the route that the canoe took along with an arrow pointing where paddle-to-the-sea is now. There are illustrations showing a sawmill, a canal lock, a breeches buoy, and a lake freighter. I believe this book would be great to study as a class by bringing out the history of the great lakes region, the history of Native Americans in the region, geography of the great lakes region, and the biology of the region.

A true childhood classic
I read my husband's worn copy of Paddle-To-The-Sea to my children, then to grandchildren. It's faded, dog-eared, worn at the edges and a little tattered, but it'll survive another generation of loving use, I'm sure. One of the true childhood classics, Paddle-To-The-Sea is a rare entity: a cross genre book for kids. The story of the little carved Native American canoe's trip from the North Country to the Sea is an adventure story, a geography lesson, a history lesson, and in some ways, it's even a romance. There are wonderful drawings, accurate maps - and an utterly engaging story. It's worth finding a copy in hardcover to buy, because you're going to want it to last as long as my husband's copy has, for sure, for sure.

an excellent read
This is close to being one of my favorite children's book ever. I don't know if it is normal to cry at the end of this book, but I do. I am so glad I finally added a copy to my bookshelf. I am waiting for the day when my grandchildren are old enough to read it themselves. ... Read more

Book Description

The history of the Mississippi River Valley is told in text and pictures through the adventures of Minn, a snapping turtle, as she travels downstream. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Still wonderful after all these years
I read this book in elementary school and went looking for it again last year as a gift for a niece. Be warned that there's a scene that she found really sad (Minn gets hurt) -- and it made her cry. So maybe it's not for sensitive first-graders. Still, the story is wonderful and little Minn is a great character. There's also a lot of fascinating natural detail. And stunning illustrations. It's a children's book version of a top-notch Nature documentary. "Nova" in print, if you will. Also check out Holling Clancy Holling's other books. They're all great, even looking back at them after three decades.

Every child deserves a chance to read this book.
At age 52, I can vividly remember discovering this book in my local library as a boy in 4th grade, especially the luminous color illustrations and drawings Hollings used to tell the story of the journey of a snapping turtle from the Mississippi's trickling source in Minnesota, to its fullness in the Gulf of Mexico. In following the life of "Minn," from hatchling to a veteran survivor of many predators and adventures, I learned the history and lore of the river and the animals and people who live in it and along its banks. This is a book that does not talk down to its young readers. I am buying one now to read again, and to share with any grandchildren who may come along in our family.

This is my favorite book
I discovered this book when I was in fourth grade. I thought it was the best book ever written. I especially enjoyed the juxaposition of the biology of the snapping turtle with the history and geography of the Mississippi River

This is a book that will grow with your child.
Within moments of hatching in the headwaters of the Mississippi River, Minn, a female snapping turtle, loses a rear leg when a boy shoots her. She is rescued by a native American boy, who cares for her until she is well enough to go out on her own. She travels down the length of the river, avoiding turtle hunters, cruising over waterfalls and dams, laying eggs, and taking part in the life cycle of the river. The story follows Minn through her 25 year trip down to the Gulf of Mexico. It is told from the turtle's point-of-view and there are many charming full page color illustrations that the younger child will appreciate. Notes, pictures and maps in the margins of the text give details of the geography of the Mississippi, its animals, plants, cities, dams, bridges, that the older child and adult reader will find informative and meaningful. ... Read more

Book Description

Visit coral reefs, kelp forests, and other extraordinary underwater worlds. Find out fascinating facts about favorite ocean animals, including sharks, whales, and dolphins. Dramatic, atmospheric photography provides a wealth of visual information. Packed with facts and written in an accessible style, Eye Wonders are the perfect educational start for young children. A groundbreaking reference series specially developed for younger children aged five plus. In a stunning style departure for DK, wonderful photography shows subjects within their natural setting, offering a whole new level of information through powerful images. Vocabulary is accessible to children aged five plus, with the meanings of new, subject-related words clearly explained. The series provides an excellent knowledge base on the natural world for children starting to learn. The combination of breathtaking visuals and informative, accurate text will hook even those children who usually avoid books. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wonderful!
The photos alone are worth the price. Go nose-to-nose with a fangtooth; see an octopus's eggs festooning a cave; contemplate a dolphin's teeth. My 5-year-old daughter adores this book so much that she takes it to school for Show-and-Tell. Thanks to the clarity of the description of zones, she refers to the three levels of our house as the daylight zone, twilight zone, and midnight zone. The photos are vivid, the text is clear, and you can read as many or as few nuggets of information as your kid wants to hear - they're all self-contained. You just can't miss with this one. ... Read more

Book Description

Starfish have arms, but no legs. They have feet, but no toes. When starfish get hungry, they slide, glide, and feel their way in search of something to eat.

Starfish aren't fish, but they are living animals. Learn how starfish move, eat, and grow in Edith Hurd's poetic text, illustrated with Robin Brickman's vivid watercolor collages. Read and find out all about starfish, the stars of the sea. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great for youngsters
I found this book very helpful and informative for my kindergarten class. It is both simplistic enough for them to grasp the information and stay "engaged" as well as, complex enough for children to learn several attributes of a starfish...and remember it! There is also a great activity supplied at the end of the book. It's been a winner for me at home and at school. Great for beginners to science.

For text, 1 star; for looks, 5 stars!
Many first readers are repetitive, and this title from the Let's-Read-and-Find Out Science series is no exception. The text is insulting - the endnote that says "Starfish are not really fish - they are sea stars" could most certainly have been included, but the book is dumbed down by the text talks down to the reader (or read to). An attempt at poetic prose comes out stilted and forced, and there are some difficult words for a stage one reader, such as tangle, oysters, and different.
The book shows great diversity, but makes no attempt to connect this microcosm to the larger picture. The book compares the different varieties without going into detail about any one. This is not a book that can be used for school reports.
The appendix is titled "Find out more about starfish" but instead of listing things like specific habitat, lifespan, number of young, how much sea stars eat per day, etc. the note about sea stars is offered. Further activities include copying and coloring starfish and making a collage, or going down to the ocean to observe them. Other (better) books on the topic are recommended.
This is not a satisfying book, and since this is a topic of great interest to children, it is a shame that such a poor job was done. The only redeeming qualities of the book are the gorgeous watercolor collages by Robin Bricklaw. The muted wash backgrounds make the animals stand out in color and depth. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent ! Entertaining and enjoyable!
Gave this series to a 6 and 9 year old last Fall. This is their favorite book. Educational, entertaining, and fun to find the "seach for" items. PLUS - they learned an incredible amount about Sea Life and Sea Animals - that they rememeber MONTHS later.Adults and children love this. Wonderful "hands on" book for kids!

Excellent for kids that like "hidden picture" books
The illustrations are fantastic and my son really loves to look for all the hidden objects (some of which are very hard to find). The text is really good also and we very highly recommend this whole series. ... Read more