"Even if you are lucky enough to find me shining on the forest floor on an early spring day, you might mistake me for a puddle-which I most certainly am not! I'm a watery jewel called a vernal pool." A lyrical narrative is supported by additional text on every page spread providing accessible facts about vernal pools. These temporary areas of water that form in spring and last (typically) until autumn serve as a breeding ground for several creatures in forest ecosystems, such as wood frogs, spotted salamanders, and fairy shrimp. Both narratives follow the activity across the several months of a vernal pool's existence. Once the pool is dry, things continue to happen in the spot where it once shined as the cycle of decay and renewal nourishes the environment that will enable the vernal pool to support new life the next time it forms. Illustrations with a rich, woodsy palette provide an up-close look at activities in and around the vernal pool. (Ages 5-9)

If you look carefully, you can find them and be amazed! These secret pools form every year when low places on the forest floor fill up with rain and melted snow. They soon become home to hatching wood frogs, spotted salamanders, and fairy shrimp. Even in late summer and fall, when many vernal pools have shrunk to mud holes, creatures such as turtles and snakes rely on them for shelter and food. The Secret Pool introduces young readers to the wonders right underfoot as the voice of a vernal pool shares its secrets through the seasons, and sidebars provide fun facts on its inhabitants and the crucial role these small, often overlooked wetlands play in maintaining a healthy environment.

• This edition includes new backmatter features about wetland habitats and animals for classroom use and reader interest.