"Leaves and bacteria, insects and fish, bears and people, too--we're all part of one big circle of growing and eating and living"--Inside front flap

An introduction to the animals that live in ponds and streams, including beavers, frogs, ducks, crayfish, trout, and insects

"Explains what rivers and streams are, describes the characteristics of these diverse and widespread environments, and shows how various species of animals and plants have adapted to life in these habitats."--

Describes the efforts of the Jackson Elementary School in Everett, Washington, to clean up a nearby stream, stock it with salmon, and preserve it as an unpolluted place where the salmon could return to spawn

"A family of beavers love their pond, which they've worked hard to turn from a bedraggled landscape into a thriving wetland. But when a family of otters move in and start reaping the rewards of the beavers' efforts, the only thing the beavers can do is tolerate their new neighbors as best they can. Despite the fact that the otters can be rather annoying, the two species eventually strike a balance, and in the process benefits the rich new ecosystem...