A lyrical dip into the noisy, magical world of a vernal pool. In this vibrant and poetic informational picture book, two curious siblings observe the hidden world of a vernal pool: a special kind of puddle habitat that pops up in the spring, dries up by summer, reappears in the fall, and freezes over in the winter-only to come back again in the spring. Young naturalists and future water stewards will be encouraged to listen, watch, and wait to witness the seasonal changes of the ever-changing puddle and its inhabitants. As readers follow along with the rhythmic text, they will be fascinated to discover many familiar and not-so-familiar creatures that make up the surprising web of interrelationships living in these vital pop-up pools. With buoyant, lyrical text and beautiful cut-paper collage illustrations, The Noisy Puddle is an immersive introduction to “now-you-see-me, now-you-don't” wetland habitats. AGES: 4 to 8 AUTHOR: Linda Booth Sweeney is an author and educator dedicated to fostering a sense of wonder and stewardship for living systems. Her books for children include Apart, Together: A Book About Transformation. When not writing, Linda can often be found exploring vernal pools near her home in Concord, Massachusetts. Miki Sato is an artist and maker of tiny things who uses a variety of different papers and fabrics to create her intricate, 3D-looking illustrations. Born and raised in Ottawa, she now lives in Toronto, Ontario. SELLING POINTS: . STEM curriculum connections to biodiversity, ecosystems, and environmental sustainability . Introduces young readers to an important but often overlooked mini ecosystem found throughout the United States and Southern Canada . Back matter introduces relevant vocabulary and explains the vernal pool's annual cycle and connection to the larger forest ecosystem . Presents the cyclical nature of the changing seasons in a poetic and visually compelling way Reviewed by several vernal pool experts for scientific accuracy