Pondering: A Story in Cinquains - Hardcover

by Daniel Brewer (Author), Paul Paolilli (Author), Dao Thuy Linh (Illustrator)

This lyrically written and gorgeously illustrated ode to ponds is crafted in a uniquely American poetic form called American cinquain.

In this glorious celebration of nature, three girls walk an old trail in search of a hidden pond, marveling at treasures they discover along the way--darting dragonflies, croaking bullfrogs, fluttering sycamore leaves, and more. Written in a unique poetic form called American cinquain, the story seamlessly weaves together an invitation to readers to immerse themselves in nature, while also bringing attention to this endangered ecosystem. The info-packed pages at the end of the book include an overview of the pond ecosystem and the current threat to it, as well as an exploration of the cinquain form.

Author Biography

Paul Paolilli and Dan Brewer are an uncle-nephew writing team who have collaborated on numerous creative projects over the years with a focus on vibrant, accessible poetry for young readers. Their first picture book, Silver Seeds, received the International Reading Association's award for Best Children's Book by first-time authors.
A love of poetry began early for the authors with a long-standing family tradition of creating rhyming poems to celebrate special occasions. Both have dabbled in other creative pursuits, including music, drawing, painting, and woodworking. For more than twenty years they have worked together on such diverse projects as writing a movie script, short stories, and a novel, yet poetry and poetic language remains their passion. They live in sunny Southern California.

Dao Linh is an illustrator and animator based in Brno, Czech Republic. Originally from Vietnam, her childhood was filled with tropical plants and colorful bugs, and nature and wildlife remain her greatest inspiration. After moving to Europe, Dao attended art school with a specialization in illustration. Nowadays, she spends most of her time working with watercolors and talking to her computer. When not drawing, Dao loves to travel, enjoying a cup of tea at random times in random places.