Swamp Chomp

by Lola M. Schaefer

In the rippling waters of a swamp, mosquitoes fly and hum, dragonflies swoop and drone, and other creatures live their interwoven lives. Includes facts about swamps and food chains.

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

Hardcover

First published March 1, 2013

About the author

Lola M. Schaefer is an educator, writer, and gardener, and the author of many acclaimed books for children about math, art, science, technology, animals, and nature. She uses shovels, hoes, rakes, and scissors when she works in her garden. Lola M. Shaefer grew up in Indiana, and now lives in northern Georgia.

Reviews

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

A fun picture book about the cycle of life in the swamp!

Read to my 7yo for our B&R 2nd grade Science unit on food chains.

[Teresa Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using three words per concept--a noun and a verb to form a sentence, followed by another stand-alone verb, Lola Schaefer takes readers to the swamp to observe the food chain. At first all is calm. Fish glide. Guard. Turtles bob. Dig. However, when the gators show up the calm of the swamp changes as we begin to see the relationships between the animals. Crayfish grab. Munch. Bullfrogs pounce. Gulp. Each animal consumes its natural prey and even the gators get a meal. The endnote gives information about swamps and shows one complete food chain. Teachers could certainly have students find other food chains in the book. The illustrations by Paul Meisel suit the minimal, yet surprisingly complex, text perfectly, clearly expressing key concepts. This would be a valuable addition to elementary school library collections.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a great book for young children. It gives them an idea of what animals are like in the swamp. It is a short book with few words which is great for a young reader who is learning how to read. I would use this in my classroom when we talk about oceans, lakes, rivers, ponds, and swamps. I think this would help students differentiate between the different bodies of water. I think the medium used in this book is watercolors I see the black outline and colors going a little out.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of fun sound effects and the food chain hidden in the pages. Great fun for a young Floridian reader.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining and informative book about life in a cypress swamp. The narrative is lyrical and filled with onomatopoeia. There are only a few words on each page and I think this book would work well for a group read. The illustrations are colorful and are very detailed. We paused often to point out the many creatures we discovered on each page (our favorite are the turtles.)

The story also shows how the food chain operates within this ecosystem, and in this case, how things come full circle. We liked the endnote that explains the science a little bit more in detail. We really enjoyed reading this book together.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book describes a food chain in a swamp. The author writes about the sounds the fish, turtles, and other swamp creatures make. With three words per page, this would be a good book for early elementary students learning how to read. The pictures are colorful pen and ink drawings that fit the text well.

While this would be a good book for talking about ecosystems with young students, the text can be confusing. "Bullfrogs wait. Lay" is an example. I like the two word sentences, but the other does not make sense to me. The illustrations fit the text. The font is large enough for beginning readers. It is an adequate book, but I would use if more for the illustrations that the text.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

From years of doing storytimes for children of various ages, I gravitate toward picture books with only a few words on each page, like this one. Why? To start with, it's easier for me to read as I hold the book toward my audience. Books with less text are a way to get children to engage more with the illustrations as well. This book would work well for a lesson on the food chain...even for older kids. Great endnote information too!

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Food chains in the wetlands are explored in rhythmic rhyming text.

Pen and ink, watercolor, acrylic, pencil, and pastels were used to render illustrations. The endnote contains a nice visual food chain with an explanation about the concepts covered in text.

Great read aloud for PreK-2 that supports STEM.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has an incredible quality of sound that I wouldn't expect from a picture book. The text is incredibly minimal, but there is much to talk about from the illustrations. Great for kids who don't know much about swamps or the animals that reside there. There's also information in the back in case the grownups don't know much either!

[Jeannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The swamp is a quiet sultry place but much is happening! Animals flit, swoop,wait quietly all for their lunch. Schaefer uses great descriptive words that really make the swamp alive. The beginning lines, "Water ripples in the swamp," take on new meaning at the end! The food chain has never been so intriguing and vibrant.

[Haizelbear · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells about the many different animals that live in swamps. It looks into what each animal eats, and subtly conveys the food chain in that area. The illustrations were created using "pen and ink, watercolor, acrylic, pencil, and pastel". I could use this book to teach about different ecosystems, and the food chain.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable introduction to some of the animals and insects in the wetland. There is a brief food chain explanation in the back. Would work as a read aloud and the pictures are large enough to be seen from far away.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

All sorts of swamp critters along the food chain chowing down.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting pictures with plenty going on, yet simple words. Depicts the swamp food chain in a fun, non-didactic manner

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

lotsa fun verbs.

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This easy to read story shows what creatures that live in the swamp do. Facts about swamps are included at the end.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A food chain embodied by picturesque action verbs--author's endnote also explains food chains.

[Clyde Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute book about food chain for the very young. has onomatopeia in it, too, along with a more detailed explanation of food chain in the back. Or, the "proof bk, does!!

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun.