Song of the Water Boatman by Joyce Sidman

Genre III

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sidman, Joyce. 2005. SONG OF THE WATER BOATMAN. Ill. by Beckie Prange. New York: Houghton Mifflin Co.. ISBN 0329454722

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Joyce Sidman beautifully unites science and poetry in SONG OF THE WATER BOATMAN. Sidman reminds us that from season to season, the ecosystem of a pond can be a spectacular world and readers of all ages will enjoy the melody of her poetry while learning all about the interesting creatures who call this particular pond home. Sidman’s various styles of poems explore the flora and fauna found in wetland areas.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This collection of eleven witty poems and mini science units encourage readers to take a closer look at ponds and wetlands that may have been forgotten. It is a salute to the splendor and mystery that these ecosystems provide. This is Beckie Prange’s debut as an illustrator. Her experiences as a naturalist and printmaker equip her with all the sensitivity and skill needed to create hand-colored woodcuts with impressive precision. Her contrast of dark lines and seasonal water coloring supports the artistic and expository language. Sidman entertains us with rhythm, rhyme, sound, and imagery all the while educating readers with concise, easy to understand tidbits of scientific facts pertaining to specific creatures or plants found in or around the pond. The informational text set off to the side of the illustrations, sparks young readers’ curiosity and is a valuable compliment to this two page display format. Several occupants of the pond are explained in both art and text, which overflows with onomatopoeia, alliteration and almost every other poetic technique. From the eloquent style of “Fly Dragonfly!” to the enticing fun of “A Small Green Riddle”, Sidman provides interest with diversity. Not only are various styles of poetry such as Haiku, free verse, metered lines and riddles showcased but the text arrangement chosen for some of the poems adds more appeal. A particularly clever example is the design of “Into the Mud”. Readers may also find it useful to reference the glossary of scientific terminology that is included. This anthology was awarded the 2006 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award and was a Caldecott Honor book in 2006.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
HORN BOOK: "Sidman and Prange go beyond accuracy and clarity; with a humor born of skillful observation and light and color worthy of the Impressionists, they capture the essence of this environment in all its fascinating particularity."

BOOKLIST: "In this strikingly illustrated collection, science facts combine with vivid poems about pond life through the seasons."

5. CONNECTIONS
*Pair this collection with books from the 591 section of your library such as ANIMALS OF RIVERS, LAKES AND PONDS by Sandra Donovan and ANIMAL BABIES IN PONDS AND RIVERS by Jennifer Schofield.
*Take students to a pond to observe the creatures and plants there. Or take them to observe life in a school garden, patch of the playground or create your own ecosystem with crickets or frogs. Discuss and record the behaviors of the specimens.