Lake: A See to Learn Book

Lake: A See to Learn Book is the second title in a series of non-fiction picture books for very young children that uses lyrical language to encourage a sensitive perception of the natural world and a caring connection with it.

The text asks young readers to consider what they see and experience at a lake through the seasons ― from dragonflies and hummingbirds in summer, to crimson leaves in fall, to goslings on the lake’s icy surface in winter, to moose calves by the water’s edge in spring ― drawing local connections alongside those of a global sensibility.

Gorgeous illustrations show a child and grownup appreciating the lake’s beauty, learning its secrets and enjoying moments of wonder, all first steps toward developing a lifelong awareness of our interconnectedness to the Earth and our impact on the environment.

Includes suggestions for further reading and an author’s note regarding aspects of shaping our inner environmental compass.

Kate Moss Gamblin was inspired to write the See to Learn series, including Forest: A See to Learn Book, following her doctoral research in sustainability learning, which uniquely combined a focus on environmental perception with an international comparative approach. She has international professional experience within education as well as climate change and environmental projects; her current focus is on enterprises involving sustainability, education and consulting. Kate lives in Toronto.

Karen Patkau has been writing and illustrating picture books, with a focus on nature and non-fiction, for more than thirty years. She won the Ezra Jack Keats Memorial Medal for her first book, Don’t Eat Spiders by Robert Heidbreder, and since then her titles have appeared on lists including Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books, Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award finalists, Green Book Festival Award finalists, Ontario Library Association Best Bets and White Ravens selections. Karen has also illustrated Forest: A See to Learn Book. She lives in Toronto.