Over and Under the Pond

A sequel to Over and Under the Snow and Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, this time focusing on the rich, interconnected ecosystem of a mountain pond. As parents and children launch a canoe from the muddy shore and paddle through the lily pads, they see frogs leaping and painted turtles sliding from logs, disappearing beneath the murky water. What's happening down there? Below the pond, leeches hide, crayfish slink beneath rocks, nymphs build intricate shells, and microscopic animals break down fallen leaves to replenish the water with nutrients. Above the pond, furry cattails sway in the breeze, and a pair of loons swim by, laughing in the dappled sunlight. An author's note discusses not only the diverse organisms present, but also the truly remarkable balance of this wetland ecosystem—the way plants and animals create a chemical equilibrium that sustains the pond's life.