All Eyes on the Pond

An introduction to the behavior and interdependence of various pond creatures, and an intimate look at the habitat in which they all live.

Kindergarten-Grade 4-An introduction, in gently lilting verse, to the behavior and interdependence of various pond creatures, and an intimate look at the habitat in which they all live. Leonard's beautiful, borderless acrylic art fills page after double-page spread. It takes readers sloshing through the mud with the snapping turtle, climbing the spider's web, roaming the underground tunnels of the ant, or scooting backward with the crawdad. Soft blues, greens, and warm browns delight the eye. This is the same approach to his subjects that the artist took in illustrating Margaret Wise Brown's Under the Sun and the Moon (Hyperion, 1993). This time, he presents different views of the pond, along with an insert closeup of each animal's unique eye(s). The final spread shows a human eye that contains all of the pond creatures and states, "Come closer. What's your view? All the creatures watch for you." An appealing work and worthwhile addition to nonfiction collections.
Dot Minzer, North Barrington School, Barrington, IL
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.