A delightful tribute to turtles and turtle-watching, from a young child’s perspective.
What is it about turtles that fascinates us? Is it how they hide inside their patterned shells, their wizened faces, their slow determination?
In Turtle Pond, a child and his parents visit their local public garden throughout the year, observing the turtles as they play, dive, feed, bask, climb, hide and doze. James Gladstone’s lively prose poem reveals the pleasure and curiosity that come from spending time with the turtles. Karen Reczuch’s stunningly beautiful illustrations accurately portray these extraordinary creatures, both in and out of the water, surrounded by lush plants and the changing seasons beyond the greenhouse windows.
An author’s note provides more information about turtles, including the Red-eared Slider featured in the book.
Key Text Features
scientific illustrations
author’s note
further information
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7
With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.7
Explain how specific aspects of a text's illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g., create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting)
A delightful tribute to turtles and turtle-watching, from a young child’s perspective.
What is it about turtles that fascinates us? Is it how they hide inside their patterned shells, their wizened faces, their slow determination?
In Turtle Pond, a child and his parents visit their local public garden throughout the year, observing the turtles as they play, dive, feed, bask, climb, hide and doze. James Gladstone’s lively prose poem reveals the pleasure and curiosity that come from spending time with the turtles. Karen Reczuch’s stunningly beautiful illustrations accurately portray these extraordinary creatures, both in and out of the water, surrounded by lush plants and the changing seasons beyond the greenhouse windows.
An author’s note provides more information about turtles, including the Red-eared Slider featured in the book.
Key Text Features
scientific illustrations
author’s note
further information
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7
With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.7
Explain how specific aspects of a text's illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g., create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting)
| Published By | Groundwood Books Ltd — May 1, 2018 |
| Specifications | 32 pages | 8.75 in x 11 in |
| Keywords | animals; wildlife and habitats; habitats and ecosystems; endangered species; public gardens; ecosystems; reptiles and amphibians; time and seasons; nature and animals; appreciation; caring; respect for environment; informational text; poetic language; read aloud; questioning; Common Core aligned; CC Literature Integration of Knowledge and Ideas; kindergarten; grade 3; lyrical nonfiction; picture book; scientific illustrations; author's note; further information; |
| Written By |
JAMES GLADSTONE is an editor and author of books for children. He has also written the highly acclaimed picture book When Planet Earth Was New, illustrated by Katherine Diemert, and, most recently, Turtle Pond, illustrated by Karen Reczuch. James lives in Toronto. |
| Illustrated by |
KAREN RECZUCH has illustrated many award-winning children’s books. Loon by Susan Vande Griek won the TD Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-fiction, the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Picture Book Award and the Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada’s Information Book Award. Karen’s other books include West Coast Wild, also the winner of the Information Book Award, and three more titles in the West Coast Wild series, all by Deborah Hodge. Karen lives in Lake Country, BC. |
| Written By |
|
JAMES GLADSTONE is an editor and author of books for children. He has also written the highly acclaimed picture book When Planet Earth Was New, illustrated by Katherine Diemert, and, most recently, Turtle Pond, illustrated by Karen Reczuch. James lives in Toronto. |
| Illustrated by |
|
KAREN RECZUCH has illustrated many award-winning children’s books. Loon by Susan Vande Griek won the TD Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-fiction, the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Picture Book Award and the Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada’s Information Book Award. Karen’s other books include West Coast Wild, also the winner of the Information Book Award, and three more titles in the West Coast Wild series, all by Deborah Hodge. Karen lives in Lake Country, BC. |
| Audience | ages 4 to 7 / grades K to 3 |
| Reading Levels |
Guided Reading M
Fountas & Pinnel Text Level M Lexile AD540L |
| Key Text Features | scientific illustrations; author's note; further information |
| Common Core |
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.7 |
Winner, Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction, 2019
“A poetic yet informative introduction to the lives of turtles that will motivate children to find out more.” —Kirkus Reviews
“A pleasant time in the company of turtles.” —School Library Journal
“. . . illustrated in striking watercolors . . . The wonder and excitement of seeing turtles as they live through all four seasons emphasizes the curiosity people feel about this ancient species.” —Booklist
“Turtle Pond is a delightful, quiet book that is perfect for sharing with youngsters always curious about the animal world.” —CM Magazine
“. . . the book evokes curiosity as well as a sense of wonder and respect for these long-surviving reptiles.” —Literacy Daily
“[A] beautiful book . . . It would be a wonderful gift for any child.” —Resource Links