All summer, I’ll be sharing books for kids of all ages on topics that will interest them or offer them something new to learn about. Most of the time, these will be nonfiction books, but sometimes we can learn from fictional stories too.
I hope you will stay tuned to these posts. They will always have Summer Read-to-Learn in the title and the tags. There will be books from some of my favorite publishers like Feeding Minds Press, Chronicle Kids, Twirl, Templar Books, Candlewick Press, and others as well as books on all kinds of topics kids love to read and learn about. Be sure to stop by each week to see what book I’m sharing as part of my Summer Read-to-Learn series.
To see all the books in the Summer Read-to-Learn series, click HERE.
OVER AND UNDER THE WETLAND
By: Kate Messner
Illustrated by: Christopher Silas Neal
Published: August 13, 2024
Publisher: Chronicle Kids
Fiction
This is the third in Kate Messner’s Over and Under series that I’ve shared HERE. It looks like the series includes seven total books with this one being the newest addition.
A young girl and her grandma head off to explore on a trail in the wetlands. The wildlife of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Southwest Florida inspired the author to write this newest book in her Over and Under series.
As the girl and her grandma walk along, they hear birds and other creatures both overhead and underneath them, including in the water. Through the binoculars, the girl can find all the animals making the noises she hears. From a painted bunting to a pig frog croaking to its mate there are all kinds of sounds in the wetlands.
Through accurately detailed illustrations, kids will learn about the animals and their wetland habitat. The ecosystem of the area is important to keeping everything living together. Kids will see spoonbills gobbling minnows and freshwater shrimp or an alligator snapping up a turtle for its lunch. As the day goes on, different animals in the wetland make an appearance while others go into hiding to avoid the predators.
The author shares some facts about the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in a note at the end of the book. Many people over the last century have worked hard to keep the Sanctuary safe and protect the wildlife and trees that inhabit the wetland. Today it is still home to a number of endangered plants and animals including the Florida panthers and ghost orchids. A glossary of the plants and animals mentioned in the book is included at the end of the book. After reading this, I’m adding this Sanctuary to my list of places to visit.
Kate Messner is an award-winning author of over 50 books for young readers. Kate lives on Lake Champlain with her family. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time outside–cross-country skiing, hiking, swimming, and digging in her garden. Check out her website, HERE.
Christopher Silas Neal is an award-winning artist. His work has been published in a variety of books and magazines and featured on television. He currently lives and works in Brooklyn. Check out his website, HERE.
To purchase a copy of OVER AND UNDER THE WETLAND, click HERE.
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Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to make a purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.
Check out my review policy, HERE.