Water Dance

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Summary: The dance of the water through our world
Review: "Water Dance" by Thomas Locker is one of those books you pick up because you like the look of the cover, a lake nestled amongst the hills beneath the purple sky of dusk, and then when you finish reading it you discovered it was actually teaching you something. "Water Dance" is actually about the water cycle, which starts with the rain that becomes a mountain stream that empties in a lake that is linked by a river to the sea. The cycle ends when the seawater becomes mist that forms into clouds and leads to a thunderstorm that once again brings the rain. Locker's thirteen paintings depicting the water cycle and accompanied by a poetic text describing each step of the process. In the back of the book each painting is reproduced in miniature as Candance Christiansen provides scientific information about what Locker is showing us about water. Students will find out about such things as the different types of clouds, what causes rainbows, and how the water in their bathtub might have been part of the Nile River a month earlier. "Water Dance" is a marvelous way of introducing young students to the water cycle. They will enjoy Locker's paintings even more once they learn how they all fit together to show one of the basic processes of nature. Teachers will be able to use "Water Dance" as an introduction to all sorts of science lessons.

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Summary: Inquisitive soon-to-be-4-year-old can't put it down!
Review: "Sometimes I cascade. I tumble down, down, over the moss-covered rocks, through the forest shadows. I am the mountain stream." Intriguing images of water dancing through the many stages of its cycle capture the young reader's attention in this informative, artistic book for five to eight year olds. Using a brilliant form of personification, Locker provides a deeper, more scientific understanding of concepts of water that children are already familiar with, such as rain, rivers and rainbows. The graceful, informative poetic verse on each page is accompanied by a beautiful illustration, all done in oils on canvas. For example, a stunning, lifelike portrait of a mountain stream careening through rocks and trees is featured on the adjoining page of the verse quoted above. A great complement to the text, the paintings are softer than photographs, yet just as realistic and appealing to the eye. At the end of the book, the reader finds a thorough and instructive lesson on the water cycle that is more densely written and in smaller print. This adds to the instructive nature of the book and would make an excellent contribution to a teacher's unit on the elements. All scientific information in the book was researched by Locker's writing partner Candace Christiansen, who is also an author and has taught science for many years. Water Dance is a fascinating, unique book; a treasure of the existing literary world.

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Summary: The water cycle in verse and picture for the younger reader
Review: Thomas Locker has once again given us a feast for our eyes. His illustrations are outstanding and his poetry is charming. In addition, he has included facts about the water cycle to reinforce the lessons he artistically created. This is an excellent classroom resource.

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Summary: Water Dance is a beautiful way to learn
Review: Thomas Locker's beautiful oil paintings make "Water Dance" a work of art and a wonderful way for kids to learn about the water cycle.I decided to see what's out there for kids about water and began with "Water Dance," "Where the River Begins," and "Cloud Dance," all by Locker. I fell in love with his art and . . . also bought "Sky Tree" and several others.
I just published a review of approximately 20 kids water books titled "Teaching Children about the Hydrologic Cycle." To read, go to www.ndwc.wvu.edu and click on the current issue of "On Tap," a magazine about drinking water in small communities.

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Summary: Artistic, Poetic and Educational?
Review: Wonderful read for the whole family. This is a book we look forward to reading to our little one, over and over. The art work is fantastic, the words are entertaining and has a section at the end of the book to educate about all the cycles of water. Do not hesitate to add this to your library!