Skating Wild on an Inland Sea

Told in poetic style, Skating Wild on an Inland Sea, by Jean E. Pendziwol, illustrated by Todd Stewart, recounts the story of siblings waking up early on a winter’s day and walking to the shores of Lake Superior to go skating. Along the way, they notice their surroundings and reflect on nature and the creatures in the woods. Once they begin skating, “…Lake Superior sings again / Her voice vibrates/ beneath our feet,/ distant thunder/ cracking and/ rumbling, racing through ice.”

Todd Stewart’s illustrations in cool shades of blues and greens give the book a visually cold feeling, matching the text. Stewart uses highlights of yellows for glimpses of warmth, sun, and light, and the contrast of bright white snow against the cool tones adds to the frosty feeling. The illustrations have almost a retro 1970s look to them, transporting the reader back to a simpler time.

While the book feels somewhat exotic, taking place along the shores of Lake Superior as the mighty great lake “sings” as it expands and contracts, Skating Wild on an Inland Sea reminds readers to see the extraordinary in a simple, everyday event. Nature, its beauty, and its creatures are all around us. If the time is taken to listen, watch, and be silent, every child can experience this type of “in the moment” sensory experience outside, wherever they are.

Skating Wild on an Inland Sea would make an enjoyable shared reading experience between a caregiver and child. Classroom teachers would also find the book an excellent exemplar to teach “small-moment writing,” (Calkins & Oxenhorn 2003) “explode the moment” writing, or sensory and detailed writing in general.