• Age: 4 to 7
• Grade: p to 2

Lake: A See to Learn Book, the second book in the See to Learn series, is designed to inspire scientific curiosity, appreciation of beauty and connection to the natural world, through gentle questions and vibrant illustrations.

Lake: A See to Learn Book is the second title in a series of non-fiction picture books for very young children that uses lyrical language to encourage a sensitive perception of the natural world and a caring connection with it.

The text asks young readers to consider what they see and experience at a lake through the seasons — from dragonflies and hummingbirds in summer, to crimson leaves in fall, to goslings on the lake’s icy surface in winter, to moose calves by the water’s edge in spring — drawing local connections alongside those of a global sensibility.

Gorgeous illustrations show a child and adult appreciating the lake’s beauty, learning its secrets and enjoying moments of wonder, all first steps toward developing a lifelong awareness of our interconnectedness to the Earth and our impact on the environment.

Includes suggestions for further reading and an author’s note regarding aspects of shaping our inner environmental compass.

Key Text Features
author's note
further reading

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4
Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.

KATE MOSS GAMBLIN was inspired to write the See to Learn series, including Forest: A See to Learn Book, following her doctoral research in sustainability learning, which uniquely combined a focus on environmental perception with an international comparative approach. She has international professional experience within education as well as climate change and environmental projects; her current focus is on enterprises involving sustainability, education and consulting. Kate lives in Toronto.

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KAREN PATKAU has been writing and illustrating picture books, with a focus on nature and non-fiction, for more than thirty years. She won the Ezra Jack Keats Memorial Medal for her first book, Don’t Eat Spiders by Robert Heidbreder, and since then her titles have appeared on lists including Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books, Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award finalists, Green Book Festival Award finalists, Ontario Library Association Best Bets and White Ravens selections. Karen has also illustrated Forest: A See to Learn Book. She lives in Toronto.

Karen Patkau's profile page

Lake reminds us to be grateful for the nature that surrounds us, and all the wildlife a lake helps support. Highly recommended.

Canadian Review of Materials

[Lake] 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.

Kirkus Reviews

[Lake] reinforces the message that we need to teach our young people to really see what is in the world around us. … Karen Patkau’s digital art is expansive and beautiful.

Winnipeg Free Press

The questions are not simply pointed but rich in sensory and scientific information. … they encourage quiet reflection in a busy world.

Booklist

A pleasant reminder of the lovely features to be found around a wild lake. An enjoyable, interactive ­one-on-one read.

School Library Journal

Patkau’s accurate portrayal of plant and wildlife is especially valuable in this time when awareness of nature is critical to all species’ health — including our own.

Toronto Star