Duck Says Don't! by Alison Ritchie illustrated by Hannah George*

 When Goose leaves for vacation, he asks Duck to be in charge of the pond. Soon Duck is enforcing new rules, which enrages his friends and prompts them to leave. Duck learns the value of  refraining from bossiness! 

After reading this book, adults could take their children outside to observe the various creatures depicted at the pond. 

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal*

With description language, Ms. Messner showcases the interesting life found in and around the pond.  A mom and her son spend the day in a boat, moving slowly across the waters, appreciating the sights, sounds and smells of the pond.

*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Near One Cattail : Turtles, Logs, and Leaping Frogs by Anthony D. Fredericks illustrated by Jennifer DiRubbio

In rhyming text, this book focuses on life at a pond surrounded by cattails.
Food chains can be easily found.
The illustrations are beautiful.
Additional facts about each creatures are in the back.  The author holds to evolution and old earth theory.
-Borrowed from the library.

On Duck Pond by Jane Yolen illustrated by Bob Marstall

Told in first person
A boy walks with his dog to a pond where the wildlife and serene atmosphere are disrupted by a wide variety of ducks coasting onto its surface.
The rhyming, simple text make it appealing to younger listeners.
My sons and I enjoyed finding the variety of wildlife in each illustration.
The back of the book contains a few pages of additional facts about pond habitats, the different ducks featured in the book, and the wildlife in and around the pond.
Apparently this book is a sequel to a book this team wrote/illustrated called On Bird Hill.  I will need to borrow, read and review it.
-Borrowed from the library.

Pond by Jim LaMarche*

Any book that Mr. LaMarche illustrates I must read!  His illustrations are exquisite.
One late winter/early spring, Matt visits an area which he and his sister and friend Pablo have dubbed "The Pit", and discovers a steady stream of water attempting to flow into it.  He concludes that "The Pit" must have been a pond long ago.  He, Katie (his sister) and Pablo spend the spring cleaning up the area, allowing the pond to refill.  As the seasons progress, the children experience the benefits of their efforts and the reader witnesses the beautiful wildlife that frequents the pond.
This book displays the value of perseverance, work, and team work.  It also reinforces that children can make a difference in this world.
 I like how it celebrates children being outside, away from screens!!  Our current generation of children will benefit from books like this one!  So much awaits them outside, just a few steps away from their home.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Strategy: infer

Looking Closely Around The Pond by Frank Serafini*

In riddle format, the author/photographer has the reader trying to guess an animal, plant, or nonliving object found at the pond.  One side of the page is the riddle with a close up photograph an obscure part of the featured object on the opposite page.  The proceeding page has the answer and a full page photograph of the answer.  A couple of paragraphs share information about the animal/plant/nonliving object.
A great book to use with habitat studies.
*Highly recommend.
More in series, "Looking Closely"
The Shore
The Desert
Rain Forest
The Forest
The Garden

Turtle Splash! Countdown at the Pond by Cathryn Falwell

Painted turtles rest on a log.  Countdown as they dive to the bottom.  I like how it ends with ten again.
Amazing collage illustrations.
In the back the author shares more facts about each of the wildlife creatures at the pond.
Guided Reading Level: H