Pond Walk

by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

Buddy and his mother are spending a relaxing day at Pete’s Pond. As Mama tells Buddy about the animals, bugs, and plants they see, Buddy sketches them on his drawing pad. Ducks! Whirligig beetles! Lily pads! Buddy is curious about everything, but most of all, he hopes to see a turtle. And he does—but not the kind he expected! This book, illustrated with photographs and cut-paper artwork, is a perfect introduction to environmental science and biology, but will also be useful to all enthusiastic pond goers. A make-a-rock turtle craft activity is included.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Animals, Science, Childrens, Nonfiction, Ecology

40 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2011

About the author

Nancy Elizabeth Wallace attended the University of Connecticut, and majored in sociology and psychology with a minor in art history, then continued on for a master’s degree in child development.

For many years, she worked at Yale-New Haven Hospital with children and teenagers as Child Life Specialist helping children to understand what was going to happen if they needed to have a medical test or an operation or a cast.

Then she took two adult education courses, one was about traditional Scherenschnitt (share- en -sssh -nit) scherren means scissors, schnitt means cut. The other was about writing and illustrating children’s books. When she brought in a
cut-paper illustration, the teacher said, “You’ve found your medium!”

Nancy is married to Peter Banks. They have been married for more than 30 years. He is a high school Physics teacher.

They live in Branford, Connecticut.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars because it models so well so many of the tips we give parents and caregivers about early literacy. Buddy and Mama go on a walk to a pond (exploring something new = new vocabulary, new background knowledge); Mama takes a field guide (let children see you read & they will become readers); Mama answers all of Buddy's questions by reading the book and telling him more that she knows (talking and listening to children help them hear more sounds of their language, learn vocabulary, and build the background knowledge that contributes to comprehension); Buddy has a notepad in which he draws pictures and writes captions (readers are writers and writers are readers).

Presto! A conclusion for your next early literacy workshop!

The only one of the five ECRR practices they don't model is singing, and the one thing that bugs me about the text is that Mama never asks Buddy any questions, though she responds to all of his. Give me a couple open-ended questions and a little song and I would have given this five stars! :)

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great educational book

My youngest son loved this book. A beautiful journey with buddy and his mom as they explore the wildlife in and around ponds. Full of interesting facts which taught me a lot as well!

[Hayley Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy to read story with lots of facts about pond life. Little funny jokes are shared between mama and buddy as they explore the pond. Lots of links to science topics and lots of creative drawings could be made by a class. Chikdren could also go and visit a pond.

[Lynn Foreman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of great science presented in a kid friendly way. Highlights spending time outside and with family. Characters are bears. Illustrations are simple and uncluttered. Appropriate for 1st grade, Environmental Studies.

[Rachel Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative

Informative and cute. I read this to the baby as he ate and he seemed to like it. Will maybe buy one day.

[Cyndy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are lots of things to look for and discover at a pond.

[Stacy Renee (LazyDayLit) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story about a bear, his mama, and their pond walk.
Includes nature journaling and lots of educational facts mixed in!

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy Wallace's Buddy Bear are a terrific little series on science related topics for preschoolers. However, the texts are getting longer and longer and more complicated. At least one of this series has ended up in the non-fiction section, because the informational aspect is taking over from the story. Nice for reading with an attentive preschooler or early elementary student, but not something for group reads or for toddlers.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good choice for early elementary students or teachers who are doing a study on ponds. Buddy visits a pond and comments on all the life he sees but is always in search of the elusive turtle. Children will love the sneaky entry on the scene of the creature and Buddy's drawings. Rock turtle craft is included at the end of the book.

[John Moore]

Pond Walk, Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
Grade Level: K-2
Topic: Ecosystems
Description: This is a great book for younger children to begin learning about the specific things that make up different ecosystems in the environment around them. In this book, a young bear and his mother spend a day at a pond near their home, learning about what life is like there for the animals who live there.

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was too long. Read it to both kids during snack time. Natalie, worth the longer attention, and William, with the interest in the topic, both lost interest a couple times. We did make the turtle craft at the end immediately. Lots of great info, cute jokes, and science skills, but too much all at once.

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mixed media art was very fun with this book. It is a story of a momma bear and her little one as they spend the day out on a walk and around a pond. I enjoyed how the text and the illustrations supported each other.

[Cya]

Cute science book about a nature pond walk. Talks about plants and animals found around the pond. I would use for observation of nature lesson.Could use it a science station with a re-created pond and have students make their own observation picture book.

[Laura Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great teaching book on ponds and pond animals. Loved the illustrations and the text. The mother bear was teaching her cub like I would be teaching my child. Nice turtle craft at the end of the book.

[James Vickery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book would be great to read to a group of second graders that are learning about the ecology of ponds. In the story the bear examines many different parts of the pond and then comes to important conclusions that are relative for students to learn.

[Reese · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this book. It would be a great story to share with students when introducing Limnology and observation recording. I really love that the main character is on a scientific journey with his mother. Cute!

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked that this book encouraged children to go explore the world around them. It had some pretty interesting facts in it (I actually learned some new things). I liked the art as well. My only complaint was that it went a little too long for most children.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are a library by two big ponds. The Nature Teacher who runs preschool classes here is really going to like this one :)

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the art work in this book--the contrast of realistic pictures with construction paper cutouts was engaging and fun for my kids.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book shares the day adventure with a bear named Buddy and his mom. Share some jokes and drawings while Mama explains to Buddy things about Pete's Pond.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of information...I would recommend for 1st grade and up.

[Voracious_reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book for children who are interested in the outdoors. It's simple but does contain a fair amount of information. The illustration did not appeal to be. It felt derivative.

[Terry]

Getting ready to go out to the pond? Grab and read before you go to help children learn about pond habitats. This can double as a nature guide.