Jo MacDonald Saw A Pond

by Mary Quattlebaum
illustrated by Laura J. Bryant

Dawn Publications

Ages: 3 to 8

Available as:
• Hardcover
• Paper back

Old MacDonald had a... pond? Yes!

Blurp. Croak. Quack!

Come along with Jo MacDonald and learn about the wild creatures
at the pond on the farm. You'll find fish, frogs,
ducks and a few surprises...

• 2011 National Parenting Publications (NAPPA)
--- GOLD Award Winner

• 2011 Mom's Choice Award
--- GOLD Award Winner

A sing-along inspired by the sights and sounds of a pond. When Jo visits her grandfather’s farm, she observes the plants and animals she finds by the pond, sketching them so she can share them with Old MacDonald later. She first notices the reeds, and the sound they make: “Jo MacDonald saw a pond, E-I-E-I-O. And in that pond she saw some reeds, E-I-E-I-O. With a swish-swish here.…” The familiar tune starts on page one and never misses a beat, begging kids to participate. Indeed, the rollicking atmosphere during a sharing of this book will likely be in marked contrast to what is happening inside it. As Jo settles in to watch, her quietness and stillness pay off as some animals gradually emerge: fish, frogs, ducks, a bird, a few coons, some deer and a dragonfly. Backmatter includes Jo’s final sketch (delightfully childlike) as well a paragraph about each animal, a list of books about ponds and some activities that can help youngsters be a naturalist like Jo. Observant readers will notice the clever design of the illustrations that hides the last-mentioned animal and the next one within the spread. Bryant’s softly colored watercolor creatures echo Jo’s rosy-cheeked childhood innocence and have just a touch of expression in their faces. Sure to inspire a rousing storytime, this is also likely to encourage readers to explore the world around them.
Kirkus Reviews

Websites to visit:
Dawn Publications
Mary Quattlebaum