Creek Critters Children’s Book From Stroud Water Research Center Inspires Stream Ecology Programs at Libraries
By Kathryn Difo, Jennifer Merrill, and Diane Huskinson
Creek Critters and Animalitos del Arroyo, a popular children’s book about freshwater ecology, is inspiring a new wave of fun and educational programming at libraries near and far. Dramatic readings tell the story of a brother and sister doing what scientists do as they look for stream bugs that need clean, healthy streams to survive.
Young learners get to do more than listen, though. With Stroud Water Research Center’s education team, they examine live freshwater insects in the Macroinvertebrate Discovery Tank while learning how aquatic life helps scientists determine the health of a stream.
Children then sort the macroinvertebrates as they learn how these fascinating creatures spend much of their lives underwater. In their final and very brief life stages, many take flight for one or two days, mate, and lay eggs before continuing the circle of life.
A generous, anonymous donor supported the Stroud Center’s delivery of this programming at the Oxford Public Library in Pennsylvania recently. A Keep Communities Flowing Grant from the American Water Charitable Foundation supported activities at the Coatesville Area Public Library.
Beyond Pennsylvania, educators in Virginia have been inspired by Creek Critters, using the book to introduce children to stream ecology. Norma Bozenmayer, a volunteer environmental educator with the Dan River Basin Association, has been reading the book to children through school and summer camp programs ever since she first discovered it last year.
Her group also started River Rangers, a project that features a reading of Creek Critters and provides equipment for collecting aquatic life. In May, the Patrick County Library in Stuart, Virginia, hosted a River Rangers program at the Mayo River, finding it to be a healthy, biologically diverse ecosystem.
Share Your Creek Critters Experience
Have you participated in Creek Critters events? Let us know. We’d love to hear from you!
Explore Stream Health With Your Family
You can learn about stream health on your own with your family. The Stroud Center coordinates the Leaf Pack Network, a global community of curious people who have sampled their streams for aquatic life. It’s inexpensive, easy to do, and an interesting way to see what critters live in your stream! Check out these videos to learn more.
Get a Business Tax Break By Supporting Freshwater Education
Pennsylvania companies can support these educational programs while receiving a tax credit worth up to 90% of their donation to the Stroud Center. Learn more.
