Song of the Water Boatman

Sidman, Joyce. Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems. Illustrated by Beckie Prange. Houghton Mifflin, 2005. 32 pages. $16.00. ISBN 9780618135479.

Summary:

Dive into this book of pond poetry: into the world of spring peepers, the caddis fly, cattails, pond scum, and so much more. Eleven poems take us from early spring and the jingle-bell calls of the spring peepers, into the late fall when the turtle burrows into the mud for the winter. Each two-page spread is beautifully illustrated by Prange with hand-colored woodblock prints: “Perspectives in illustrations shift from one poem to another, providing a unique depiction of the life below the water, on shore level, and in the surrounding reeds and trees” (Brommer, 2005).

Curriculum Connections:

This book is a unique marriage of art and science: it’s not “just” a book of beautiful illustrations and poems, but also has factual information and a glossary. Most spreads include a brief, nonfiction passage where readers can learn more about the flora or fauna featured on the page.

Personal Reflections:

This is a wonderful text to inspire young naturalists. In a second grade study of ecosystems, this text would provide a “hook” through the poems and eye-catching illustrations, not to mention the additional information. So many creatures in this book are dependent on each other to survive: all are important, even the pond scum. Prange’s illustrations give readers so much to look at: seeing through a naturalist’s eyes it’s easy to marvel at this detailed, rich world.

Awards:

Caldecott Honor Book, 2006; Booklist Editors’ Choice, Books for Youth, 2005; School Library Journal Best Books, 2005; ALSC Notable Children’s Books, 2006.

Age/Interest Range:

PreK-12

Genre/Themes:

Poetry, Nonfiction, Science, Biology

Read-Alikes:

Oddhopper Opera: A Bug’s Garden of Verses (Cyrus) has a similar “up-close” and detailed feeling through poetry and illustration, though the illustrations have a very different mood.