Turtle Splash!: Countdown at the Pond

Falwell, Cathryn

ISBN 10: 0060294639 ISBN 13: 9780060294632

Publisher: Greenwillow Books, 2001

Synopsis

One by one, ten turtles splash into the pond. A counting book and fun exploration of animals at the pond, perfect for preschoolers.

It's a peaceful day at the pond as ten timid turtles bask in the sun. But wait! A bullfrog leaps, a rabbit rustles, deer appear, a chickadee chirps, and the turtles dive one by one into the water. Splash!

For storytime at home or in the classroom, use Turtle Splash! to gently reinforce early counting lessons, as well as information about the animals that visit a pond.

But most of all: turtles!

About this title

About the Author

Cathryn Falwell grows vegetables and mystery vines in her garden next to Frog Song Pond in Maine. The pond and its creatures have been featured in the books Turtle Splash! and Scoot!, also published by Greenwillow Books.

From the Back Cover

It's a peaceful day at
the pond as ten timid
turtles bask in the sun.
But wait!
A bullfrog leaps, a
rabbit rustles, deer
appear, a chickadee
chirps, and
ten
nine
eight
seven
six
five
four
three
two
one
by one
the turtles dive
into the water.
Splash!

Reviews

PreSchool-Grade 1-"Ten/timid turtles,/lounging/in a line./Startled by/a bullfrog-/Then there/are nine." This lovely countdown features Eastern Painted Turtles and various insects, birds, and mammals sharing a pond habitat. As each new creature appears on the scene, one more turtle jumps off the log and into the water. Eventually, the blue sky of day gives way to rose and purple shades and all 10 tired turtles are underwater to "settle for the night." The familiar counting scheme plays out in beautifully constructed collage scenes. Many of the animals are quite realistic; some are less detailed. Birch bark and leaf prints add realism to the lush growth surrounding the melded blues and greens of the water. A white panel on either side of the double-page view contains a large blue numeral, the verse, and trailing bits of picture to soften the contrast. The pleasing glimpses of the shy turtles and their neighbors end with a satisfying recapping of the count in a night view lit with fireflies. Three final pages augment the pond visit with information on the behavior of each animal and brief instructions for making leaf prints. This is pleasing fare for reading aloud at bedtime, or anytime, and offers an inviting early nature lesson.
Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Greenwillow Books
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0060294639
• ISBN 13: 9780060294632
• Binding: Library Binding
• Illustrator: Falwell Cathryn
• Number of pages: 32