Pond Circle

The picture book "Pond Circle" by Betsy Franco follows a young girl as she observes a small pond on a summer night, watching a range of pond creatures such as mayflies, beetles, frogs, skunks, and owls. The story uses a rhythmic, cumulative format to show a food chain that starts with algae, moves through mayfly nymphs and other insects, and ends with a coyote, illustrating the interdependence of the pond's wildlife. With vivid illustrations by Stefano Vitale, the book presents the circle of life in a pond ecosystem and is designed for early readers at a reading level of 5.4, appropriate for kindergarten through third grade.