Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal (Chronicle)

Captivating nature and an idyllic day out for a mother and sun. There's nothing like messing about in boats!
We love pond dipping and we definitely love punting or taking a rowing boat out onto a gorgeous lake somewhere, whenever we get the chance. So we've been entranced by Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal's new book "Over and Under the Pond".

Following on from "Over and Under the Snow" once again its a blissful peek at nature both above and below the surface of a beautiful lake.

Mama and Son are out for the day, enjoying the sunshine and the cool tickle of the water on their toes as they paddle their boat. The little boy notices that things are moving underneath the boat as it drifts idly by. Fish swim in shoals, and turtles dive for the cool depths of the lake from a nearby log.

But under the surface, silent hunters stalk their prey as Dragonfly larvae steal a fish or two for supper, and a roach waits in the murky deep for an opportunity for a midday snack.

Above the surface in the surrounding woods, woodpeckers peck at ants in the trees...

A glorious sound, a woodpecker pecking for insects with a tap tap tap!

It's a beautiful day for exploring nature, and this book perfectly captures the sheer bliss of being outdoors in a poetic and lyrical story sharing a love of animals and nature with us, the reader.

Under the pond is as busy as ever as fish dart back and forth among the reeds.

It's a really beautiful book, perfect for nature loves or just those who love the idea of idly spending the day floating on a gorgeous pond in a little boat.

The book also shares facts and information about the animals featured in the book at the back once the story is finished...

Fabulous animal facts to go with the story. Brilliant idea!

Such a fantastic idea and really beautifully put together with lyrical lines and gorgeous illustrations.

Charlotte's favourite bit: Learning all about how Caddis Fly Larvae build little houses out of sand and reeds to plop on their tender parts!

Daddy's favourite bit: A book that makes you long for the summer, for idle days spent floating in a little boat. I can almost feel it, it's so gorgeously described here.

(Kindly sent for review)

"Over and Under the Pond" by Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal is out now, published by Chronicle Children's Books.