ALA Booklist (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

As a father and child stand at the edge of a northern lake, watching a moose take a dip in the water and a beaver gather wood, this See to Learn book prompts a series of observations by first asking, "What do you see when you see a lake?" From here, children follow the pair through vibrant scenes depicting different vantage points, seasons, and times of day around the lake, with guided questions directing the viewer's gaze and encouraging curiosity. The questions are not simply pointed but rich in sensory and scientific information. For instance, as the father and child paddle a canoe at sunrise in the fall, the text asks, "Do you see the morning mist rising to clouds, as it does above lakes the world over, later returning to droplets or snow ow that feathers all around us?" Other scenes reveal dragonflies and hummingbirds darting on a sunny day, fish protected under layers of ice in the winter, and the silhouettes of trees at twilight. Together, they encourage quiet reflection in a busy world.

Kirkus Reviews

"What do you see when you see a lake?"Questions with a whimsical, poetic air lead young readers and listeners through the experience of observing and appreciating the wonders of a woodland lake in this second book of the See To Learn series (after Forest, 2019). While some swimming and hiking occur, humans are for the most part peripheral or absent; nature is the focus here, and the author's intention is to foster an appreciation of its varied aspects, including the weather (wind, snow), the four seasons, the animals (moose, otter, squirrels, swans, geese, dragonflies, water striders, trout and other types of fish), the plants and trees (pines, maples, waterlilies, underwater plants), and, of course, the shimmering water and glowing morning and evening skies. Layered, crisp-edged art framed by branches, swirling plants, and leaves reflects the text closely. While not a selection children will necessarily choose to read over and over again, this is solid early nonfiction, accurate and accessible, that calls attention to the importance of the natural world, provides visual and sensory description, pinpoints relevant and unexpected details, encourages children to ask and answer questions, and seeks to elicit a sense of awe. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-17.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 69.7% of actual size.)Lyrical questions leave room for imagination while providing information on a lake's environment and inhabitants. (author's note, further reading) (Informational picture book. 4-7)

School Library Journal (Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2020)

PreS-Gr 2 This nonfiction picture book highlights the beauty of the natural world. The text encourages young readers to practice their observation skills by asking them questions about what they see in the illustrations. The questions are designed to be applied to the real world as children learn to look more closely at the world around them. Patkau's gorgeous illustrations provide bright colors and shapes that will surely appeal to the target demographic. The questions highlight animals and natural features shown in the illustrations, giving children something specific to identify and point out to their reading companions. Each spread focuses on one animal or characteristic of the lake. The narrative begins in summer; each season is covered. VERDICT A pleasant reminder of the lovely features to be found around a wild lake. An enjoyable, interactive one-on-one read. Heidi Grange, Summit Elem. Sch., Smithfield, UT