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At the Pond
A lyrical narration and breathtaking illustrations transport us to the world of a pond with all its sights, sounds, and pulsing life.
The red-winged blackbird spreads his tail
and sings his hello morning song;
he has sung it since the bright
and misty world began.
When the soft pink of the dawn sun starts peeking over the pond, a new day has begun for all the animals who live in it and around its watery edges. The friendly duck family, the mysterious water striders, and the busy beaver are a few of the many fascinating and familiar animals included in this glowing poetic tribute to the lively ecosystem of the pond. A companion to In the Sea, In the Wild, On the Farm, and In the Woods, At the Pond brings readers to the pond’s sun-dappled shores, pairing David Elliott’s witty and enchanting animal poems with Amy Schimler-Safford’s luminous and evocative scenes of pond life. Back matter notes about the animals and plants will further captivate young nature lovers.
The red-winged blackbird spreads his tail
and sings his hello morning song;
he has sung it since the bright
and misty world began.
When the soft pink of the dawn sun starts peeking over the pond, a new day has begun for all the animals who live in it and around its watery edges. The friendly duck family, the mysterious water striders, and the busy beaver are a few of the many fascinating and familiar animals included in this glowing poetic tribute to the lively ecosystem of the pond. A companion to In the Sea, In the Wild, On the Farm, and In the Woods, At the Pond brings readers to the pond’s sun-dappled shores, pairing David Elliott’s witty and enchanting animal poems with Amy Schimler-Safford’s luminous and evocative scenes of pond life. Back matter notes about the animals and plants will further captivate young nature lovers.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published May 24, 2022
About the author
David Elliott
179 books168 followersDavid Elliott is the author of THE COOL CRAZY CRICKETS and THE TRANSMOGRIFICATION OF ROSCOE WIZZLE. He says of AND HERE'S TO YOU!, "My neighbor’s rooster and I were having a disagreement. I wanted to sleep in the morning; he wanted to crow. The rooster won, of course. The first verse of AND HERE'S TO YOU! is a tribute to his victory and to the joys found in simply following your nature."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
September 7, 2024
This is a stunning picturesque book that’s illustrations give you a sense of an abstract Paper Mache placement from fabrics to the page in beautiful colors.
The story takes readers to a pond (a small body of still water formed naturally) that explores pond life. Who lives in the pond? What do they do with their day? How do they grow and develop as creatures and/or plants from something small to mature?
The writing is poetic and thoughtful.
The author also provides notes about the animals and plants that inhabit the pond, which makes this a great learning adventure for kids.
Reading Level: 3 – 7 years – Grade Level: Preschool – 2nd grade
The story takes readers to a pond (a small body of still water formed naturally) that explores pond life. Who lives in the pond? What do they do with their day? How do they grow and develop as creatures and/or plants from something small to mature?
The writing is poetic and thoughtful.
The author also provides notes about the animals and plants that inhabit the pond, which makes this a great learning adventure for kids.
Reading Level: 3 – 7 years – Grade Level: Preschool – 2nd grade
May 8, 2022
Absolutely gorgeous! The lyrical words and beautiful illustrations bring equal brilliance to this perfect picture book. Some of the words will be new to young readers but this brings even more to the experience of hearing the story read aloud while exploring the detailed pictures. There are additional fun notes about the plants and animals in the back matter. Thank you to Candlewick Press for sharing this amazing creation with me ahead of its publication date. I had originally planned to gift it to my favorite little one, but now realize I will also need to obtain a copy for myself to keep for repeated enjoyment. Great for library and school purchases and highly recommended for all ages!
May 29, 2022
A fabulous mix of David Elliott's wit and wordplay with more lyrical poems. GORGEOUS illustrations. Love that it takes us through a day at the pond from red-winged blackbird in the morning to red-winged blackbird in the evening, and features not just animals, but plants. Another great addition to the series!
April 8, 2023
An introduction to poetry for the young reader—poetry can be harder to read to squirmy kids, FYI 😂 The vocabulary and various literary tactics used were impressive. The illustrations are super! The glossary at the back was also cool. This is definitely for an older audience; younger ones like my 18-month-old rely heavily on pictures as opposed to narrative.
September 29, 2022
Rich detailed illustrations, love the playful poems with rich word choices.
May 11, 2022
A delighful introduction to the flora and fauna of a pond through David Elliott's whimsical, energetic verse and Amy Schimler-Safford's vibrqnt mixed-media illustrations.
November 30, 2022
I read At the Pond by David Elliott and illustrated by Amy Schimler - Safford. I chose to read this book for my poetry unit for my reading course. I read this book in its traditional format so that I could see the double-page spreads of how animals live near the pond. This book was a 2023 notable book that was selected for the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry.
This picture book is written in a lyrical poem format. The author uses sounds, rhymes, comparisons, and images to help the reader understand life at the pond. For example, Elliot says, "The water lilies open in the morning sun. Frog sits on a lily pad: the show has just begun," (pg 6). Elliot attempts to rhyme words together to enhance the story and to help the reader visualize the water lilies on the pond. He also compares insects when they hop on the water to drawing calligraphy. He tries to illustrate pond life by using similes and metaphors.
I like the pictures in the story and think they go along with the poem. They are vibrant and colorful and help the reader understand what the author is trying to get across.
I recommend that teachers use this book as a read-aloud for elementary students. Teachers can focus on how the author compared animals' actions to other situations. Teachers can also talk about poetry and how a poem has rhythm if it has rhyming words.
I would have liked to hear a better rhythm and beat to this lyrical poem as I read it. Also, some of the vocabulary would be difficult for a primary student to understand so it would be important to introduce students to the words beforehand.
This picture book is written in a lyrical poem format. The author uses sounds, rhymes, comparisons, and images to help the reader understand life at the pond. For example, Elliot says, "The water lilies open in the morning sun. Frog sits on a lily pad: the show has just begun," (pg 6). Elliot attempts to rhyme words together to enhance the story and to help the reader visualize the water lilies on the pond. He also compares insects when they hop on the water to drawing calligraphy. He tries to illustrate pond life by using similes and metaphors.
I like the pictures in the story and think they go along with the poem. They are vibrant and colorful and help the reader understand what the author is trying to get across.
I recommend that teachers use this book as a read-aloud for elementary students. Teachers can focus on how the author compared animals' actions to other situations. Teachers can also talk about poetry and how a poem has rhythm if it has rhyming words.
I would have liked to hear a better rhythm and beat to this lyrical poem as I read it. Also, some of the vocabulary would be difficult for a primary student to understand so it would be important to introduce students to the words beforehand.
December 20, 2022
This lovely book is a two-for-one special. On the one hand, it's an exploration of the many animals in the pond ecosystem. On the other hand, it's a book of sample poetic styles. The combination works beautifully.
The illustrations by Amy Schimler-Safford are a mute Eric Carle-style. They have that collage-y feel, yet they are not at all harsh, as that style can sometimes be. I found them delightful. I had two favorites: the blue heron spread and the evening/deer spread.
The poems are fabulous. The styles vary, although it's not standard children rhyme, sing-songy verse. It's as if Mary Oliver started writing for children. There were haiku echoes, along with other forms.
One thing I would suggest is that the oral reader really read - get into it. These poems deserve a lively reader (no Edward Farrars in "Sense and Sensibility" please).
They vary in length, and that gives a feeling of movement and vibrancy to the pace of the book. One thing I very much appreciated was the vocabulary. Children will encounter words like, "teeming," "burnished," "appellation," and more. Fabulous!
This is one I will reach for when asked to read aloud and give examples of what a good poetry book can be.
*Note: I was given a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
The illustrations by Amy Schimler-Safford are a mute Eric Carle-style. They have that collage-y feel, yet they are not at all harsh, as that style can sometimes be. I found them delightful. I had two favorites: the blue heron spread and the evening/deer spread.
The poems are fabulous. The styles vary, although it's not standard children rhyme, sing-songy verse. It's as if Mary Oliver started writing for children. There were haiku echoes, along with other forms.
One thing I would suggest is that the oral reader really read - get into it. These poems deserve a lively reader (no Edward Farrars in "Sense and Sensibility" please).
They vary in length, and that gives a feeling of movement and vibrancy to the pace of the book. One thing I very much appreciated was the vocabulary. Children will encounter words like, "teeming," "burnished," "appellation," and more. Fabulous!
This is one I will reach for when asked to read aloud and give examples of what a good poetry book can be.
*Note: I was given a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 13, 2022
Highly recommended for any elementary or middle-grade teacher looking for poems to share with a classroom, this collection of 15 poems by David Elliott fits perfectly with his others [In the Woods, On the Farm, In the Wild, In the Sea, and On the Wing] written in a similar vein. In this particular volume, the poet ruminates about various creatures and happenings near and in a pond. In this habitat, readers will meet blackbirds, frogs, mallards, an elderly catfish, turtles, and even a water snake. Although the lines are often quite lyrical [a dragonfly that is "delicate, / diaphanous, / dazzling" (unpaged) and a water strider that "writes / his story / in rippling / hieroglyphics" (unpaged)], there are also lines that play on words effectively and leave readers smiling in appreciation; for instance, a heron being described as "a striking bird" (unpaged). Or even one poem that suggests observing one inhabitant of the pond from a distance for safety. There's even one can't-miss-poem that uses seven one-word lines to describe the transition of tadpole to adult frog. It's clear that the poet and illustrator have spent some time in this particular ecosystem with these pitch-perfect lines and memorable mixed-media illustrations finished digitally. The colors are sumptuous and composed of texture and movement, and readers will feel as though they are standing at this particular pond, appreciating nature as "Cattails whisper through the night" (unpaged). There's a cyclical nature to the collection too, adding to its appeal, as the poet describes how a red-winged blackbird greets the morning on the first page and then after one day is done and the next one ready to begin, he lends his tune to the dawn's stirrings. Readers will finish this collection with their senses stirred and filled, and maybe, just maybe, inspired to write a poem or two of their own.
August 7, 2022
There is a flurry of activity at the pond. In the morning, the red-winged blackbird sings to waken the inhabitants of the pond. Under the water, fish, frogs, turtles, and pollywogs dart about. Ducks and geese, beavers and muskrats swim around the pond as well. Even the insects have important business as dragonflies, water striders, and fireflies flit about. There is always something interesting to see at the pond!
I love the writing style! I found it very interesting that this book uses really big words for a children's picture book. I wish it had a glossary at the back, so that children could look up the words and expand their vocabulary, but I guess a dictionary will do as well. I really love books that use big words for kids, and they can learn something new!
"The pond's nobility, the great blue heron wades in the shallows with ancestral dignity both majestic and absurd. ..." What a beautiful line of writing! It's way beyond a young kid's understanding, but I think it is worthwhile for kids to read something a little beyond them so that they can learn something so beautifully expressive.
I loved the beautiful illustrations in this book! The art style is really attractive and it gave me a calm feeling. The colors are soothing somehow. The art really captures the beauty of nature!
There is an entire page devoted to the water snake. Ew. I skipped that page. I just can't handle it. Freaks me out!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
I love the writing style! I found it very interesting that this book uses really big words for a children's picture book. I wish it had a glossary at the back, so that children could look up the words and expand their vocabulary, but I guess a dictionary will do as well. I really love books that use big words for kids, and they can learn something new!
"The pond's nobility, the great blue heron wades in the shallows with ancestral dignity both majestic and absurd. ..." What a beautiful line of writing! It's way beyond a young kid's understanding, but I think it is worthwhile for kids to read something a little beyond them so that they can learn something so beautifully expressive.
I loved the beautiful illustrations in this book! The art style is really attractive and it gave me a calm feeling. The colors are soothing somehow. The art really captures the beauty of nature!
There is an entire page devoted to the water snake. Ew. I skipped that page. I just can't handle it. Freaks me out!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
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May 10, 2022I had a little trouble with the poetry in this one. It felt stilted or just clunky to read out loud to my children. I was distracted by all the complicated words used in a children's book and felt like my children were not really taking any of it in. Words like appellation, diaphanous, enigmatic, and burnished just kept coming! I don't know -- this is aimed at children 3-7 so I feel the poems should be simpler. I like those in Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature, for example. Those are more age appropriate.
The illustrations are beautiful and it nicely depicts the biodiversity in the pond ecosystem.
***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Candlewick Press. Opinions are my own.
The illustrations are beautiful and it nicely depicts the biodiversity in the pond ecosystem.
***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Candlewick Press. Opinions are my own.
November 7, 2022
Soon we’re going to be introducing our granddaughters, and reacquainting our three preschool nephews to the wonders of lake life. They’re all early risers, so they’ll all have the opportunity to witness the world as it awakens each day. This gorgeous book instantly transported me to early mornings on a Michigan lake. The poetic language and the colorful illustrations helped me to see the water lilies, the grasses and the frogs. I imagined the beavers hiding just beneath the water, and a blue heron searching for his breakfast. As I read the pond’s story, a sense of calm settled over me as I lost myself in nature.
Finally, don’t miss the notes from the author that will answer your little one’s questions (and maybe yours, too) about all of the animals and plants included in this story.
Finally, don’t miss the notes from the author that will answer your little one’s questions (and maybe yours, too) about all of the animals and plants included in this story.
September 22, 2023
Copyright: 2022
Award: NCTE Excellence in Poetry Award
Start rating: 5/5
Genre: Poetry/non-fiction
Themes: Water, Animals, Poetry, Science & Nature.
Summary: For all the creatures that live in and around the pond's watery edges, a new day begins for them as the rising sun begins to peak over it. A few of the many fascinating and well-known creatures living in the pond are included. It talks about the vibrant ecosystem of the pond like the friendly duck family, the enigmatic water striders, and the active beaver.
Classroom use: This book is a great start to poetry. You can create many activities and discussions based on the poem. For example, you can print different animals that live in ponds and create a lesson plan of the ecosystem in that area with poems!
Award: NCTE Excellence in Poetry Award
Start rating: 5/5
Genre: Poetry/non-fiction
Themes: Water, Animals, Poetry, Science & Nature.
Summary: For all the creatures that live in and around the pond's watery edges, a new day begins for them as the rising sun begins to peak over it. A few of the many fascinating and well-known creatures living in the pond are included. It talks about the vibrant ecosystem of the pond like the friendly duck family, the enigmatic water striders, and the active beaver.
Classroom use: This book is a great start to poetry. You can create many activities and discussions based on the poem. For example, you can print different animals that live in ponds and create a lesson plan of the ecosystem in that area with poems!
November 13, 2023
Star rating: 4 Stars
Copyright date: 2022
Awards:NCTE Exellence in Poetry Award
Genre: Picturebook, Poetry
Summary of book: This book shows a poetic journey of life at the pond. From dusk to dawn, we see what daily life is like for these pond animals. Life surronds the pond and we see just how critical this environment is for all the wildlife living there. It is a beautiful book with illustrations that draw you in and give you a clear picture of a ponds nature.
Thoughts on the book: I think this is a great poetry book to read to students. The illustrations and the use of poetry elements paints a picture in your head of what a pond is like. I would have this book in my class library and possibly part of a daily 5 because I think it holds a lot of poetry values.
Copyright date: 2022
Awards:NCTE Exellence in Poetry Award
Genre: Picturebook, Poetry
Summary of book: This book shows a poetic journey of life at the pond. From dusk to dawn, we see what daily life is like for these pond animals. Life surronds the pond and we see just how critical this environment is for all the wildlife living there. It is a beautiful book with illustrations that draw you in and give you a clear picture of a ponds nature.
Thoughts on the book: I think this is a great poetry book to read to students. The illustrations and the use of poetry elements paints a picture in your head of what a pond is like. I would have this book in my class library and possibly part of a daily 5 because I think it holds a lot of poetry values.
November 16, 2023
Genre: poetry, children’s lit
Award: Ncte
Copyright: 2022
“At the Pond" by David Elliot is a delightful picture book that introduces readers to various animals and their interactions in and around a pond. Through poetic language and captivating illustrations, the book explores the interconnectedness of nature.
In a K-8 classroom, "At the Pond" can be utilized to enhance literacy skills and environmental awareness. Teachers can incorporate the book into lessons about ecosystems, poetry, and animal behavior, encouraging students to discuss the importance of preserving natural habitats. Additionally, it serves as a valuable resource for creative writing prompts and artistic activities inspired by the rich imagery within the book.
Award: Ncte
Copyright: 2022
“At the Pond" by David Elliot is a delightful picture book that introduces readers to various animals and their interactions in and around a pond. Through poetic language and captivating illustrations, the book explores the interconnectedness of nature.
In a K-8 classroom, "At the Pond" can be utilized to enhance literacy skills and environmental awareness. Teachers can incorporate the book into lessons about ecosystems, poetry, and animal behavior, encouraging students to discuss the importance of preserving natural habitats. Additionally, it serves as a valuable resource for creative writing prompts and artistic activities inspired by the rich imagery within the book.
May 21, 2022
Many poetry books by David Elliott illuminate some particular part of our natural world and this one is no different. Poems that tell about the fliers and swimmers and the plants which live with them are there, At The Pond. Where else could you read about a pollywog that David celebrates with "Golly! Frog!" or "a loving appellation: Old Harry./the Catfish That Won't Be Caught."? Amy Schimler-Safford's collaged illustrations add to a delightful visit for readers of the poems. And added information about each pond native can be found at the back. It's another beautiful book.
Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy!
Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy!
November 27, 2023
At The Pond, 2022
NCTE Award
Genre: Nature, Life, Animals
This picture book is about the lively life at the pond. There is a variety of biodiversity. This book takes you on a journey from the animals and plants during the daytime. Toward the end of the book, we end up reaching the evening. The book illustrates the animals that our out during this time as well. It is interesting to see the comparisons and differences. I would use this book in a classroom to further explore the animals that were mentioned in the book. I would have students research and learn more facts about the animals and plants mentioned.
NCTE Award
Genre: Nature, Life, Animals
This picture book is about the lively life at the pond. There is a variety of biodiversity. This book takes you on a journey from the animals and plants during the daytime. Toward the end of the book, we end up reaching the evening. The book illustrates the animals that our out during this time as well. It is interesting to see the comparisons and differences. I would use this book in a classroom to further explore the animals that were mentioned in the book. I would have students research and learn more facts about the animals and plants mentioned.
February 1, 2023
I gave this book four stars because I like how the pictures look on every page. They are so bright and beautiful. Something else I like about this book is that this book goes through all the bugs and creatures that live at the pond and what their purpose is. Like for example, a water snake is guarding her nest from any predators. I enjoyed reading this book and I believe that children will enjoy reading this book too because they get to learn all the animals and insects that live at the pond. This book could be very informative and interesting to them.
November 12, 2023
At The Pond, 2022
NCTE
As the sun's rise peeks over the pond, a new morning starts for all the critters who inhabit and surround its watery margins. These are just a handful of the numerous intriguing and well-known animals that call the pond home. It discusses the pond's dynamic ecology.
Poetry gets off to a wonderful start with this book. The poem can serve as the basis for a variety of talks and activities. For instance, you might print out several pond species and use them to make a poetry-based lesson plan about the local ecosystem.
NCTE
As the sun's rise peeks over the pond, a new morning starts for all the critters who inhabit and surround its watery margins. These are just a handful of the numerous intriguing and well-known animals that call the pond home. It discusses the pond's dynamic ecology.
Poetry gets off to a wonderful start with this book. The poem can serve as the basis for a variety of talks and activities. For instance, you might print out several pond species and use them to make a poetry-based lesson plan about the local ecosystem.
November 27, 2023
2022, NCTE Excellence in Poetry Award, nonfiction, nature, ecosystems, etc.
“At the Pond” by David Elliott is a book that uses poetry to describe all elements of the ecosystem of a pond. It talks about the animals, the plants, and everything that makes up a healthy pond ecosystem. This book is a great source of informative poetry for young students. The visuals are also really pretty which makes it even more appealing for students. I think pairing the information with accurate and appealing visuals are what makes this book really helpful for students.
“At the Pond” by David Elliott is a book that uses poetry to describe all elements of the ecosystem of a pond. It talks about the animals, the plants, and everything that makes up a healthy pond ecosystem. This book is a great source of informative poetry for young students. The visuals are also really pretty which makes it even more appealing for students. I think pairing the information with accurate and appealing visuals are what makes this book really helpful for students.
April 12, 2023
This story tells a great story about different animals living at this specific bond and how they interact with another. The story is relatively simplistic, but that is great due to it showing an extensive amount of different animals. Where the book really shined for me was the intense illustrations that were very colorful and done in such a fun and unique way. The illustrations were fantastic and really were the star of the show for me.
November 16, 2023
At the Pond by David Elliot brings the audience into the world of different creatures. The illustration especially had me captured right by the start. It was interesting to start reading and see how every animal is represented in an other poem. I have never seen anything like that, and I liked how everything was pulled today to connect one another.
December 10, 2023
"At the Pond" is a lyrical poetry book with beautiful illustrations. This story would be a good one to read during a poetry lesson in class as students can easily pick out rhyme schemes. The vibrant illustrations compliment the text and make the story visually stimulating for readers. There is a lot of sight sense imagery in this story as well.
August 22, 2024
Pure poetry about a variety of critters is highlighted with gorgeous illustrations by Amy Schimler-Safford.
A lovely book you'll want to open again and again.
A lovely book you'll want to open again and again.
December 14, 2022
I think this is a great book to introduce young readers to poetry with! There is beautiful illustrations in this book. Some of the words in this book may be unfamiliar to new readers. I think this is a great book to share with young readers so they can see the beautiful illustrations.
January 27, 2023
Five stars for the very beautiful illustrations in this title which just unfold one page after another. The poems I didn’t like as well. Strange butI loved Elliott’s title, On the Farm, for both the poems and illustrations. It is just peaceful to sit and look at these illustrations.
March 15, 2023
At the Pond takes you through a day on the pond. How different animals interact with each other (or how they don't). We see how the animals go about their day on the pond. We see animals swimming in the river or walking in the brush, just living life so peacefully next to each other. I enjoyed the poem aspect of the story
July 19, 2022
Short poems about the pond. Nice illustrations.
July 28, 2022
Probably not a great story time read but a beautifully illustrated picture book about pond animals.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews