A Day in the Salt Marsh

Habitats

by Kevin Kurtz, Consie Powell (Illustrator)

Enjoy A Day in the Salt Marsh, one of the most dynamic habitats on earth. Fun-to-read, rhyming verse introduces readers to hourly changes in the marsh as the tide comes and goes. Watch the animals that have adapted to this ever-changing environment as they hunt for food or play in the sun, and learn how the marsh grass survives even though it is covered by salt water twice a day. An activity on adaptations is included in the For Creative Minds section.

Genres: Nonfiction, Picture Books, Nature, Science, Childrens, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2007

About the author

Kevin Kurtz has loved books and nature since he was a kid growing up in upstate New York. As an adult, he has worked at a marine biology research center, an aquarium and a children's science museum. He has also sailed on scientific research ships, including with the Chicxulub Impact Crater expedition as scientists drilled into the crater from the asteroid impact that wiped out most of the dinosaurs.

His first children's book, 'A Day in the Salt Marsh,' was published in 2007. He continues to write books and visit schools to introduce children to the wonders of reading, writing, science and nature.

Reviews

[Gillian Getlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beginning with the sun rise and a bird song, the day begins in the salt marsh. Fiddler crabs, periwinkle snails, otters, and more creatures are shown going about their day in the marsh. At the end of the day, you've met many residents, and are invited to come back tomorrow!

This book is beautiful and informative. The realistic and detailed illustrations support the rhyming text that describes the different animals' habits in the salt marsh. I love how the text boxes overlay illustration boxes which occasionally overlay another illustration box! While detailed, the illustrations still draw focus to each animal and the beauty of the salt marsh.

A book that connects well to this one is These Seas Count! by Alison Formento. In These Seas Count!, the author details different animals seen in the ocean by the shore. It could be fun to compare the stories.

This book would be great as a mentor text for informational texts. The style of text on illustrations, the rhyming style of the writing, and the choices made as to what will be said and what will be drawn can be looked at in this book.

[Vickie Woodard · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m Grandma to 5 wonderful Munchkins, so occasionally I see if I can find something for them.
This book was IRRITATING. It wasn’t just that the words lit up one by one, it was that pages that were just pictures turned themselves and didn’t allow you to look at the illustrations. I tried turning back and physically holding the page down (it’s an EPUB book), but it was frustrating; it was impossible.
The illustrations on pages with words were detailed, wonderfully drawn. So beautiful!!
But I can just imagine handing my kindle to the child in my lap and hearing, “Grandma!! This book doesn’t work right”
If I’m this unhappy with the book, imagine the disappointment of the author and illustrator.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated book in rhyming verse takes the reader through one day in a salt marsh. Through the tides the landscape changes incredibly, and we are introduced to the plants and animals of this ecosystem. Excellent supplement to the study of habitats and includes supporting educational back matter.

[JR - · Rating 3 out of 5]

On every page it is e.g 9:00 next page it is 10:00 and there is not a lot of detail.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

In rhyming text that is fun to read aloud, this book describes one day in a salt marsh, encouraging readers to pay attention to the living things that inhabit the marsh. Because of the description of blue crabs, river otters, cordgrass, blue herons, oysters, and periwinkle snails, among others, readers come to realize that there is much more to a marsh than water and grass. It's rather interesting to learn about how salt is removed from the water by the plants that grow there. With beautiful illustrations and teaching activities, this book should be a useful addition to any elementary classroom exploring complicated ecosystems. The links between species and the environment are made quite clear here.

[Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love it....it rhymes (therefore fun to read), the artwork is good, it is educational, and there are some hidden animals in the pictures! Most importantly, it is about one of my favorite subjects.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nominated 2008-2009

[Jaliyah Oates]

i love