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$17.99
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Pond Circleby Betsy Franco
Synopses & ReviewsPublisher Comments:On a summer night by a small pond, all seems still. But a closer look reveals a world of activity—mayflies dart, beetles dive, frogs spring, skunks shuffle, and owls swoop. As a young girl watches, the circle of life unfolds. Betsy Franco’s rhythmic, cumulative text makes this a lively read-aloud, and rich, luminous paintings by Stefano Vitale capture the bold beauty of nature. Young readers will be inspired to journey into their own backyards and discover the wonder of the living, breathing world around them. Review:"Rhythmic cadences and a dark palette are paired to explore the shadowy setting and circle of life for creatures that live near a pond. The majority of the book is a cumulative poem — 'This is the water/ the deep, still water/ that filled the pond/ by Anna's house./ This is the algae/ the jade green algae...' — though Franco abandons the format, somewhat awkwardly, with two closing stanzas in Anna's voice. The algae is eaten by a mayfly nymph, the mayfly by a beetle, and a frog, snake, skunk, owl, raccoon and coyote make appearances, too. The overall tone is matter-of-fact yet lyrical, and Franco's ending 'Facts to Pond-er' offers kid-pleasing details about the book's creatures. Vitale's somber, nighttime panoramas — oil on wood, with a strong horizontal grain — feature stylized figures that, while striking, may detach viewers from the insect gobbling and egg stealing described. Anna's facial expression is static, as if she were a carved figurehead on an ancient ship. Although the text is sometimes difficult to read against the muted paintings, young naturalists and poets will be intrigued nonetheless. Ages 4 — 8. (June)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.) Synopsis:One summer night by a small pond, mayflies dart, beetles dive, frogs spring, skunks shuffle, and owls swoop. As a young girl watches, the circle of life unfolds. The rhythmic, cumulative story and rich, luminous paintings capture the bold beauty of nature. Take a short journey into one backyard and experience all the wonder of the living, breathing world around us. About the AuthorStefano Vitale is the illustrator of several books for children, including the New York Times bestseller Why War is Never a Good Idea and There is a Flower at the Tip of My Nose Smelling Me, both by Alice Walker. Stefano lives in Venice, Italy, with his wife and two young children. For more information please visit his website at stefanovitale.com. What Our Readers Are SayingBe the first to add a comment for a chance to win!Product Details
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