The Wetlands Reading List is an annotated list of printed material that can supplement lesson plans and provide students with suggestions for independent reading on wetlands. It is hoped that reading the books will motivate students to pursue further reading about the wetlands resource and encourage them to learn about wetlands through the arts and sciences and through applied hands-on experiences.

Books contained in the Wetlands Reading List include different types of literature. Factual, nonfiction, picture books and fiction titles are provided. Entries are listed alphabetically by grade level in the Wetlands Reading List: primary (pre-kindergarten to grade 2), elementary (grades 3 to 5), intermediate (grades 6 to 8) and secondary (grades 9 to 12). Grade level refers to reading level and not the level for being read to, except for some books described at the primary level which may be better read to the child.

The target age of many books extends beyond the one grade level in which they have been placed. It is recommended the educator does not limit her/himself to the grade she/he teaches but to consider books in adjacent grade categories. A list of these books and the grade level under which they are discussed is located at the end of each section. The number of entries under each section varies, as does the information for each listing. Each title cites the author, publisher, date published, page length and grade range, and is classified by a special code as indicated below:

E = Easy Reader (picture books)

F = Fiction

F = Nonfiction

SC = Story Collection, Anthologies

Following the citation is a summary and comment. The summary, is intended to capture the essence of the book, be it plot or factual material. The comment provides more in-depth background information on the book and its significance in respect to the wetlands resource. Quotes are often included with an entry.

Most important is where one might find the books listed in the Wetlands Reading List. An asterisk (*) after a title indicates a book is in print and available through a book shop. If it is not on the shelf, many bookstores will special order a book. Many of the books may be obtained at a children's library, local public library, a school library, county or city park or environmental education center, children's book store or nature section in a book shop. Some are available through organizations such as the Sierra Club or the National Geographic Society.

The Wetlands Reading List is not intended to be inclusive of every book ever written on wetlands or to endorse the books listed here. There are many other excellent publications for children on wetlands. For example, the Wetlands Reading List does not begin to list every book - and there are many good publications-written on dragonflies. Titles serve as suggestions for starting points for the inquiring student and teacher seeking information on wetlands. Students and teachers are encouraged to expand their horizons beyond the list, to refer to other books by the same and other authors and to search out books covering similar subjects as those contained herein. A list of suggested topics and key words is provided in the back.

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• Wetlands Reading List Annotations (PDF)(34 pp, 207 K)
  Wetlands Reading List Annotations