Ever wondered about the life of a puddle? What? You think it is empty? I thought so too, but then I read Hello, Puddle! by Anita Sanchez.
Okay, I probably should not admit this but when I started reading, I thought, “That’s a small pond. The turtle is bigger than it!” Then, I went back and read “puddle” not “pond” in the title. But I can be forgiven (please) for thinking that as the puddle has a life as a mini pond. The tadpoles grow in it, the animals drink from it, birds bathe, and then it has mud for homes. All the simple but amazing and needed resources a puddle gives nature are written and illustrated about in these pages.
The illustrations of Luisa Uribe are simple, too. They give details but are not “high art” but sweet, fun, cartoon (but not cartoonish) like drawings. They are cozy and show science and nature in a “safe” manner. They are not “REAL” but are realistic and compliment the story.
An all-ages science book, this can be a great addition to the classroom, school, or personal library. There is not a lot “traditional running around action” but there is the action of nature, living, doing, thriving. An overall fun picture book, children, and adults (especially if on is a child at heart) will learn from it. And also will not dread the “have to” read again (and again) moments. It might not become a classic, but it is a book that will give fond memories of reading and being read to.