I wanted to like the book Tadpoles more than I did. Now, nothing was wrong with Matt James’ book, but it was not grabbing me. That might mean this story about a father and son and the day they spend together when exploring newly formed ponds and tadpoles, is one I need to read again as I missed something (I read too fast, concentrated too hard on text and not the big picture, etc.), or it can mean it is not for me.
It is both poetic and includes scientific information about nature by focusing on ponds and tadpoles. The art is tone appropriate, but it is simple, too. It is not simplistic, or if it is, not in any way that would be negative. There is a mix of a modern tone and a classical tone as well. The artwork is colorful, the cover gives you and idea of the style, but it is less detailed that was is internal. 
It does focus on the science, while the text focuses on the narrator (the boy) talking about his situation, which includes a nod to the father is no longer living at home. Therefore, there is that added part to the larger picture.
Due in late May/early June 2023, I see this book getting Caldecott attention or at least, will be getting several nods for awards and honors. There is no real age group to the book, you need to know your reader. The ending has more information, presented in a more textbook format that fills in the holes that the story does not give you.
