A DROP OF WATER

The drop of water on a child’s finger may have begun in a rain cloud over a mountaintop, collected in a high forest stream, traveling down through bogs, woods, swamp, marsh and farmer’s pond before continuing into the meadow brook the child explores. Illustrated with detailed pencil-and-watercolor drawings of each ecological niche, this gentle circular story emphasizes the interconnectedness of all nature and the human’s relatively small role in the workings of the vast system. It rewards careful attention. Each picture contains something of what came before. With well-chosen examples appealing to all the senses, the spare text exemplifies the author’s prefatory admonition to consider our surroundings. Animals and plants mentioned (including the child) are described in more detail in an illustrated appendix, offering young naturalists a place to start their own explorations. Carefully crafted and beautifully executed, this is a splendid addition to the science bookshelf. (Picture book/nonfiction. 5-10)