Crawdad Creek

by Scott Russell Sanders

Two children, Michael and Lizzie, find fossils, salamanders, dragonflies, frogs, deer tracks, and many other "treasures" when they visit the creek near their home. Reprint.

Genres: Nature, Picture Books, Science, Childrens, Memoir

32 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1999

About the author

Scott Russell Sanders is the award-winning author of A Private History of Awe, Hunting for Hope, A Conservationist Manifesto, Dancing in Dreamtime, and two dozen other books of fiction, personal narrative, and essays. His father came from a family of cotton farmers in Mississippi, his mother from an immigrant doctor’s family in Chicago. He spent his early childhood in Tennessee and his school years in Ohio, Rhode Island, and Cambridge, England.

In his writing he is concerned with our place in nature, the practice of community, and the search for a spiritual path. He and his wife, Ruth, a biochemist, have reared two children in their hometown of Bloomington, in the hardwood hill country of southern Indiana. You can visit Scott at www.scottrussellsanders.com.

In August 2020, Counterpoint Press will publish his new collection of essays, The Way of Imagination, a reflection on healing and renewal in a time of climate disruption. He is currently at work on a collection of short stories inspired by photographs.

Reviews

[Megan Mweemba · Rating 3 out of 5]

My grandma gave this book for a present a looong time ago, and I remember really liking it because I have a creek in my backyard, and it has crawdads in it. I don't like them at all, I just like having a book that is relevant to my life. :P

(Also, I'm pretty sure this will the be 200th book I've rated. Go me.)

[Taylor Brune · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a great book to use as a read aloud when introducing a lesson or unit on nature. The illustrations used in the story are incredible and it really stresses the importance of noticing all of the beautiful nature and natural habitats the world has.

[Rachel Chandler]

This would be a good book to use as a lead into a science lesson about different animals that can be found in creeks or rivers. It would also be a good "What did you do over the summer?" conversation starter.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This outdoor adventure book is great for students who love the outdoors and will force them to take a closer look into their own backyards. Great for readers who love nature and the outdoors. I would use this in grades 1-3.

[Kyle Greenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about two kids who discover all sorts of things at the Creek in these siblings backyard. This book was mostly interesting because the pictures grasp the readers attention and can allow students to explore the backyard at the creek along with the characters.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids weren't thrilled when I wanted to read this to them, but then they really enjoyed it. We talked about how much we would love to live there and live around nature again.

[Devin L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool story of 2 siblings who set out to pan for gold in a creek, but end up enjoying the sights and sounds of nature.

[Faith Cordes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accuracy on insect illustrations 👌

[Melanie Boss · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picture book. really vibrant pictures, great at describing wildlife, but not much story.