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Water Dance: A Poetic and Scientific Nature Book About the Water Cycle for Children
Travel with author-illustrator Thomas Locker and follow our planet's most precious resource--water--on its daily journey through our world.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
10 people are currently reading
427 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Locker
52 books20 followersThomas Locker was one of the major American painters of the past century. In a career that spanned almost 60 years, he had over 75 solo exhibitions. His work ranged from the delicate to the monumental, but all had one thing in common: the beauty of the natural world. He had a deep appreciation for the elusive link between the human spirit and the sublime force of nature.
He spent his entire life in service to his two great passions: painting and nature. Through widespread exhibition of his artwork and publication of his illustrated children’s books, Mr. Locker touched the hearts and minds of countless people.
Mr. Locker’s early paintings were poetic landscapes. Dr. Joshua C. Taylor, former director of the National Collection of Fine Arts for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., wrote, "Although Locker’s landscapes are not glimpses of a new Arcadia, the quotation from the past re-emphasizes their cerebral play. They call attention less to Nature than to the complex intermingling of perception and thought in the mind of man. Suddenly, seeing becomes thinking, and thinking a delight to the age."
In 1982, Thomas Locker’s career took on a new and even broader dimension. In an effort to connect with a wider audience and educate younger minds, he began work on his first children’s picture book, Where the River Begins. Today, Mr. Locker’s exceptional paintings and illustrations grace the pages of some 30 different books, several of which he also wrote. These unique books have been honoured with numerous awards, including the prestigious Christopher Award, the John Burroughs Award, and the New York Times Award for best illustration.
Thomas Locker’s landscapes have a quality all their own. His years of experimentation and research into the glazing techniques and paint chemistry of traditional European painting have enabled him to achieve a new vision of the traditional for a non-traditional age.
His books have received many awards, including the John Burroughs Young Reader Award, NCTE Notable Trade Books in the Language Arts, NSTA-CBS Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children, the Christopher Award, and others.
http://www.rmichelson.com/Artist_Page...
He spent his entire life in service to his two great passions: painting and nature. Through widespread exhibition of his artwork and publication of his illustrated children’s books, Mr. Locker touched the hearts and minds of countless people.
Mr. Locker’s early paintings were poetic landscapes. Dr. Joshua C. Taylor, former director of the National Collection of Fine Arts for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., wrote, "Although Locker’s landscapes are not glimpses of a new Arcadia, the quotation from the past re-emphasizes their cerebral play. They call attention less to Nature than to the complex intermingling of perception and thought in the mind of man. Suddenly, seeing becomes thinking, and thinking a delight to the age."
In 1982, Thomas Locker’s career took on a new and even broader dimension. In an effort to connect with a wider audience and educate younger minds, he began work on his first children’s picture book, Where the River Begins. Today, Mr. Locker’s exceptional paintings and illustrations grace the pages of some 30 different books, several of which he also wrote. These unique books have been honoured with numerous awards, including the prestigious Christopher Award, the John Burroughs Award, and the New York Times Award for best illustration.
Thomas Locker’s landscapes have a quality all their own. His years of experimentation and research into the glazing techniques and paint chemistry of traditional European painting have enabled him to achieve a new vision of the traditional for a non-traditional age.
His books have received many awards, including the John Burroughs Young Reader Award, NCTE Notable Trade Books in the Language Arts, NSTA-CBS Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children, the Christopher Award, and others.
http://www.rmichelson.com/Artist_Page...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
November 19, 2017
This novel in verse does an excellent job of explaining the water cycle to a reader. The word choice and usage takes something quite ordinary and lifts it to an extraordinary level. Explaining how water is one thing yet many things all at the same time really paints a picture in the reader’s mind. The illustrations are beautiful and play their role wonderfully to show how water is ever present in our world. The text explains how water plays a part in streams, rivers, mist, rain, clouds, rainbows, and in many other formats.
Water Dance would be a fitting addition to any water cycle unit a teacher was teaching. It would be appropriate in any grade. The simple nature of the text would allow any age of student to comprehend the information presented. While being easily comprehensible for any grade, this piece of poetry is equally engaging and entertaining for any grade. I can imagine many students making connections to this text when listening to this book read aloud or reading it themselves. In addition to using this for a water cycle science unit this could be used to help younger students see examples of poetry and novels in verse. It could help jump start a poetry unit during writing and students could create their own works of poetry after reading this.
I was wowed by this book because as previously mentioned it took water, something so normal and ordinary and made it extraordinary by highlighting its importance and beauty. That is something that poetry has the power to do. When reading this book even now as an adult I had a-ha moments about water that made me realize how much I take water for granted. I know that a child learning about all the facets that water plays in our world would be enthralled by the content they are learning in this piece.
Water Dance would be a fitting addition to any water cycle unit a teacher was teaching. It would be appropriate in any grade. The simple nature of the text would allow any age of student to comprehend the information presented. While being easily comprehensible for any grade, this piece of poetry is equally engaging and entertaining for any grade. I can imagine many students making connections to this text when listening to this book read aloud or reading it themselves. In addition to using this for a water cycle science unit this could be used to help younger students see examples of poetry and novels in verse. It could help jump start a poetry unit during writing and students could create their own works of poetry after reading this.
I was wowed by this book because as previously mentioned it took water, something so normal and ordinary and made it extraordinary by highlighting its importance and beauty. That is something that poetry has the power to do. When reading this book even now as an adult I had a-ha moments about water that made me realize how much I take water for granted. I know that a child learning about all the facets that water plays in our world would be enthralled by the content they are learning in this piece.
October 7, 2020
This is one book whose title and cover illustration promise so much and I couldn't wait to dive into the pages. Unfortunately, and I truly don't know if it is just my technology, but I met a bit of a situation with the formatting of my digital read. I couldn't scan right as I had done with previous books to turn the page but if I read it backwards I had no problems whatsoever going back to the prior page. Just good luck if you wanted to flip back to the accompanying illustration for the poem portion.
Otherwise this book is a beautiful introduction to the water cycle. It starts off with a bit of a brief introduction for each part of the water cycle while describing it in a bit of a riddle so if you are reading along to someone it could make for a fun guessing game as long as they have a general idea about different parts of weather and geography. Each page then has the answer at the bottom such I am the rain or I am the sea.
On the opposite side of the page there is a beautiful illustration that captures the focal theme in brightly detailed artwork that will take your breath away. Just as with some other children's books this one outdid itself in the illustrations department and would make for a great picture book of the water cycle if you don't like the riddle portion.
And then there is a third way to read the book. If you aren't all into riddles or beautiful art there is a collection of the illustrations as thumb prints in the back. By each one of these is a nonfiction blurb that gives a more detailed and scientific read for those who may be interested in learning more about each stage or even in particular just one stage.
I wouldn't recommend the digital formatting to other readers since I don't want them to possibly deal with the hassle that I am having with the copy that was borrowed. But if you can find a physical copy this would make for a great addition to your science section, especially when you are focused on learning about weather or the water cycle in general.
Otherwise this book is a beautiful introduction to the water cycle. It starts off with a bit of a brief introduction for each part of the water cycle while describing it in a bit of a riddle so if you are reading along to someone it could make for a fun guessing game as long as they have a general idea about different parts of weather and geography. Each page then has the answer at the bottom such I am the rain or I am the sea.
On the opposite side of the page there is a beautiful illustration that captures the focal theme in brightly detailed artwork that will take your breath away. Just as with some other children's books this one outdid itself in the illustrations department and would make for a great picture book of the water cycle if you don't like the riddle portion.
And then there is a third way to read the book. If you aren't all into riddles or beautiful art there is a collection of the illustrations as thumb prints in the back. By each one of these is a nonfiction blurb that gives a more detailed and scientific read for those who may be interested in learning more about each stage or even in particular just one stage.
I wouldn't recommend the digital formatting to other readers since I don't want them to possibly deal with the hassle that I am having with the copy that was borrowed. But if you can find a physical copy this would make for a great addition to your science section, especially when you are focused on learning about weather or the water cycle in general.
Read
January 31, 2024Beautiful book - would be lovely to use for a study of the water cycle
October 2, 2018
i think i remember this book when i was little
October 13, 2017
This was the most beautiful book about the water cycle that I have ever read! It is a wonderful way to incorporate science into a literacy lesson. The pictures and language take something that is very ordinary and make it feel spectacular. The book takes the reader through a series of short poems that describe everything from a gentle mountain stream, to a waterfall, to a thunderstorm. It paints the picture of a water cycle as water's 'dance' through our earth. I also enjoyed how at the end of the book the author included some more information about the water cycle. I think it was helpful to help children synthesize what they had just read and connect it to the scientific processes. This book reminds us to appreciate the beauty of our mundane everyday things-such as a river, ocean, or lake. I think this would also make a great mentor text for writing in the classroom to teach children about word choice, imagery, and poetry that does not necessarily rhyme.
January 10, 2019
This is a very rhythmic and lyrical book that will please readers of all ages, especially the little ones. It the story full of art, poetry, nature and science all combined into a dance about our water cycle. The oil painting illustrations are luscious to the eye and the story itself is poetically pleasant to the ear. This is truly a water dance. It is told in the first person...water, beginning with rain and ending with a rainbow.
“I am one thing.
I am many things.
I am water.
This is my dance through the world”
“I am one thing.
I am many things.
I am water.
This is my dance through the world”
October 5, 2009
I used this book to introduce the water cycle to my first graders and they were completely enthralled by it.
November 1, 2017
Wow! Just completely amazing and stunning! Words can't even begin to describe how beautiful this book is! Probably one of the best children's books I have ever laid my eyes on! The writing is so simplistic, yet so complex at the same time in its imagery that in its words that are used to describe it. This book goes to show that you don't need paragraphs and paragraphs to explain something. Sometimes, all you need is just a word, and that it'll be good enough. The reason for the simplistic writing, in my opinion, is truly the illustrations. The illustrations for me, are everything I've ever wanted in a children's book. They're just so ethereal and celestial, there are truly no ways to explain it. I would recommend anyone read this book, despite their age. I love this author and I would most definitely read more of his books. Can't believe I didn't read this sooner. But I am glad I did. Highly recommended and it is going into my favorites.
April 22, 2019
"Water Dance" by Thomas Locker is a book told as a poem. This book is great for kids in upper elementary (3-6). This book uses a dramatic and poetic text to teach students about the water cycle. This book is used to let water tell its own story throughout wonderful colorful illustrations and a sing song verse on each page.
I would use this book in my classroom as a read aloud. After the read aloud I would teach students more about poems. I would then ask students to write their own poems. It could be about any topic even something as simple as water. Another way I could use this book is as an introduction to the water cycle. We can use this as a read-aloud and them have students do more research on the water cycle. They can each pick one aspect of the water cycle to do their research on. Once they have done this research, in a jigsaw format students can teach each other about their part of the water cycle.
I thought this book was a WOW book because of the amazing imagery of different aspects of water and the water cycle. These images were not just pictures but paintings. I personally love to paint and had a strong appreciation for the use of paintings as imagery in this book. I also read this book as an ebook and it was interesting reading a book on this format. I still prefer actually books to ebooks but was glad I chose this book so I could zoom in on the imagery detail. Using poetry as a format of science text was a great way for kids to have a different understanding of the topic without reading more informational texts.
I would use this book in my classroom as a read aloud. After the read aloud I would teach students more about poems. I would then ask students to write their own poems. It could be about any topic even something as simple as water. Another way I could use this book is as an introduction to the water cycle. We can use this as a read-aloud and them have students do more research on the water cycle. They can each pick one aspect of the water cycle to do their research on. Once they have done this research, in a jigsaw format students can teach each other about their part of the water cycle.
I thought this book was a WOW book because of the amazing imagery of different aspects of water and the water cycle. These images were not just pictures but paintings. I personally love to paint and had a strong appreciation for the use of paintings as imagery in this book. I also read this book as an ebook and it was interesting reading a book on this format. I still prefer actually books to ebooks but was glad I chose this book so I could zoom in on the imagery detail. Using poetry as a format of science text was a great way for kids to have a different understanding of the topic without reading more informational texts.
January 4, 2024
i love love love love sciencey books about oceans and the water cycle so when i saw this was that and poetry, i came running. i have never seen a book so cleanly and excellently describe the water cycle in a captivating way (i mean, come on, water cycle poetry? it doesn't get better than that.) while also being beautiful to look at. the poetry itself is soft and comforting, and the pictures make me want to cry they're sosososo stunning- it even has a more in-depth look at the way the water cycle functions on the last few pages! gah, i'm nerding out right now.
this is a perfect, must-have book that is excellent for the classroom and for science educators everywhere!
this is a perfect, must-have book that is excellent for the classroom and for science educators everywhere!
August 18, 2024
Mesmerizing illustrations that won't let you take your eyes off and go read. Thankfully the words are minimal and therefore we can drink in the pictures to our hearts' content. This one means more to the nature side of the water cycle and less to the academic study of it. Therefore, even though the words aren't simple ( nothing too complicated either ), this is good for younger audience. We want them interested in the movement of water between the earth and the sky, but we don't want to bore them with too many words, in which case, this book fits perfectly in the slot! <3
November 7, 2016
Water Dance an Earth/Space genre book written by Thomas Locker. The book is at the second grade reading level. It goes through the Water Cycle with a beautiful picture depicting each section of the process. The end of the book gives more in depth explanation of the Water Cycle. This book could be used when introducing the Water Cycle and giving perspective on the importance for our planet. There is no content concerns in this book.
November 26, 2017
I adore this children's poetry book about nature. Each page has a very short poem about different objects in nature like a mountain or a stream. It is very lyrical and the pictures are incredibly realistic and beautiful. A unique feature of the book is that each page has an untitled poem and you don't know the object until the end of the poem. It will have the whole poem then say "I am a....(stream, mountain, etc.) This book is beautiful and I love the feelings it gives.
December 31, 2021
Beautifully written. This makes an excellent read-aloud book with its poetic language and lovely pictures. Before the last line of each page, students can guess what has been described. The style of this book encourages active participation as the reader is led through the steps of the water dance. Extra enrichment is provided with the water cycle notes at the end of the book. Water Dance is an excellent resource as well as a sensory delight for readers who enjoy poetry and nature.
November 14, 2019
Thomas Locker does a lovely job of describing and picturing the life cycle of water. Rain, mountain stream, waterfall, lake, river, mist, clouds, storm front, thunderhead, storm, rainbow. With each of the wonderful paintings, he gives brief poetic descriptions, as told by Water. At the end, Candace Christiansen gives scientific information on each of the stages.
Recommended.
Recommended.
Read
June 11, 2020I am one thing but many things. This book is about how water in different forms does different things and is named different things. This book is written in poetic verse, with a description of the form the water is taken ended by I am the rain or I am the river, etc. This is something that can be included in science when talking about different forms of water.
September 6, 2021
A lovely book on the water cycle with gorgeous oil painted illustrations on each page and poetic text. It will appeal to multiple levels as it can be read as a simple picture book, or take a deeper dive with the factual information at the end of the book that also corresponds to each illustrated page.
July 13, 2017
Read this as part of my eight year old's summer reading list. Gorgeous illustrations and stunning, poetic language teach an unwitting reader of the water cycle. The most unscientific science book ever.
October 19, 2017
Beautiful, creative, poetic book about water. In my LA Methods class, it was used with choral reading where groups practiced reading each section aloud emphasizing the tone and expression of words to enhance the reading experience.
August 5, 2023
"I am one thing.
I am many things.
I am water."
A poetic description of the water cycle with stunning illustrations and fabulous word choice. A great mentor text for several writing skills.
I am many things.
I am water."
A poetic description of the water cycle with stunning illustrations and fabulous word choice. A great mentor text for several writing skills.
December 5, 2016
I really enjoyed this story! The drawings were absolutely beautiful. It was almost like each page was a riddle.
December 31, 2017
Loving these "science through art" books by Thomas Locker!
February 13, 2018
A beautiful introduction to the idea of the water cycle. Definitely good for kids that respond better to literature than the stark writing of science.
June 7, 2018
ATOS 1.9
April 14, 2019
Informational- This book would fit perfectly into learning about different types of water and areas of water. Each page has a beautiful illustration to go along with the body of water. Grades 1-4.
June 17, 2019
Beautiful picture book - poetry of the life of water.
September 12, 2019
Beautiful illustrations, and the text is almost poetic. I really like this one. More scholarly information about the water cycle, next to mini copies of the illustrations, is included in the back.
October 2, 2020
Peaceful, nature-themed poems celebrate the water cycle.
January 1, 2021
This is an interesting way to explain the water cycle. And the artwork is gorgeous so that's a plus!
March 8, 2021
It was really nice how they like wrote the poems and then told you what they were talking about. And I just loved this book because it described things so well. And I just loved it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews