Crawdad Creek [Paperback]

Theres always something happening at Crawdad Creek.

Thats what Lizzie and Michael call the stream that runs behind their house. Come pan for gold, hunt for fossils, find an arrowhead in the mud or a crayfish under a stone. Watch whirligig beetles and water striders skate across the water, teasing the fish below, and count the turtles sunning themselves on moss-covered logs. Follow tracks along the bank, then sit in quiet amazement as deer, raccoons, and other animals visit the creek. Theres a wild and beautiful world here waiting to be discovered. Take the time to look!

Watch whirligig beetles and water striders skate across the water, follow animal tracks along the bank, and count the turtles sunning themselves on moss-covered logs. There's a wild and beautiful worldwaiting to be discovered inCrawdad Creek.

The half-underwater scenes are particularly striking and well done. A fine addition to . . . creek ecology.Hynes, in contrast with the rolling, reflective text, uses close-ups and distant shots to establish what the children are seeing, where they are, and the beauty of their natural surroundings. Readers see the creek through Elizabeths legs, spy the arrowhead as Michaels hand comes down to grab it, and watch over the tops of the childrens heads as they pan for gold. Evocative.

Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children chosen by the National Science Teachers Association and the Children's Book Council

Exquisitely detailed paintings capture the beauty of the wild, natural world waiting to be discovered. The book encourages readers to go outside; find moving water; and open their eyes, ears, and hearts to the wilderness everywhere.The beautiful illustrations are executed with acrylics using a watercolor technique, and immerse readers in a delicately lovely and watery childhood world. . . . Should inspire immediate explorations of the nearest body of water available.

Scott Russell Sanders is the author of more than tl32