The Pond Book

Donavon L. Porter is an elementary-school teacher in Haileybury,
Ontario.

This little book is a fully illustrated identification guide to some
common insects, animals, and birds found in and near ponds and wetlands.
It features color illustrations and a useful identification key that
simplifies classification. The authors, knowledgeable in their field,
distill scientific information into language that casual pond explorers
will understand.

Meant to be an educational tool, the book includes tips for safe
excursions, ideas for mini-projects, hints for locating animal hiding
places, and suggestions for environmentally sound activities. The
“pond bottle” that comes with the book is a hook to entice readers
to do the explorations.

Although the book is small and the descriptions are brief, this set
will be a useful addition to the family vacation kit. The authors’
goal is to promote an interest in and a respect for the natural world;
in this, they should succeed.