The Shape Of Betts Meadow: A Wetlands Story

by Meghan Nuttall Sayres, Joanne Friar (Illustrator)

From School Library Journal
reschool-Grade 3--Sayres recounts how Gunnar Holmquist bought and restored a 140-acre dry pasture to its natural wetland state. After mapping the meadow to discover where streams had flowed, he dug ponds, planted trees and wildflowers, restocked fish, and watched the landscape change through the seasons. The return of animals, birds, and plants will gladden readers as much as it did Holmquist. While many books document the destruction of habitats, this simple text offers hope that people can make a difference. The full-spread illustrations are adequate. This book might be paired with Molly Cone's Squishy, Misty, Damp and Muddy (Sierra Club, 1996; o.p.), which includes many fine photos of the wetland environment. Sayres concludes with brief introductions to wetland plants and animals found in Betts Meadow in Washington state. She includes addresses of conservation organizations and lists some books with information about wetlands restoration. All of them are quite lengthy and aimed at a much older readership. On its own, this picture book can encourage readers to participate in preserving and enhancing their natural surroundings.
Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Ages 5-8. This picture-book account of the renewal of a dry meadow in Washington State begins when a local doctor decides to purchase the land and restore it to its original state as a wetland. Friar's watercolor illustrations first show the doctor mapping the area from the air to establish where streams once flowed, then working the heavy equipment to dig holes for ponds. Other pictures show the gradual return of birds, fish, frogs, and large mammals. The story is simply and elegantly told, and it has an immediacy lacking in many books about the subject: "Dust clung to Gunnar's mustache. Grit tickled his teeth and throat." Both the art and the text make this a pleasant change of pace on the subject. Todd Morning
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Library Binding

First published April 1, 2002

About the author

Meghan Nuttall Sayres is a tapestry weaver and author living in Eastern Washington. Her books include a novel set in 19th century Iran, Anahita's Woven Riddle, an ALA Top Ten Best Books 2007 and a BookSense/Indie Pick 2007; Weaving Tapestry in Rural Ireland; and co-author of Daughters of the Desert: Tales of Remarkable Women From the Christian, Jewish and Muslim Traditions.

Meghan has visited schools and taught creative writing workshops in schools in the US, Ireland, Turkey, Qatar, Iran and Uzbekistan, where she has also met with scholars, carpet weavers, dye masters and merchants to study the age-old symbolism and Sufi poetry that infuse many rugs woven throughout the Middle East.

She is at work on novels set in these countries and an anthology about Iran. For updated information about her other books and blogs visit her at: www.MeghanNuttallSayres.com

Reviews

[Diane Rocha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to read this to my son when he was young, he couldn’t get enough of it. He would check it out from the library over and over until I finally bought it. It’s an inspirational story of a Wetland restoration with illustrations that are so detailed you could look at them 10 times and see something each time. My son used to love finding all the hidden critters. He’s is in his 20’s now and he studying to be a Park Ranger. Sometimes I think this book may have helped to plant that seed.

[Rani · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true story of recreating the wetland! Amazing.