Over in the Mangroves

by Jyoti Rajan Gopal, Dikshaa Pawaskar (Illustrator)

Overview

Reimagining a classic nursery rhyme, Over in the Mangroves is an enchanting and multilayered picture book about the interconnected animals of the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest.

Over in the mangroves by the river in the sun, slinks a fierce mama tiger and her little tiger one.

Inspired by the classic nursery rhyme, Over in the Mangroves is a fresh take that layers counting and social emotional moments into a beautiful interactive tale. From dawn to dusk, this enchanting story follows forest animals as they fish, swim, dig, and bask before a storm sends them all searching for shelter among the mangrove trees.

Set in the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest -- a UNESCO World Heritage site straddling India and Bangladesh -- Over in the Mangroves uses lyrical rhyming text to explore the interconnected creatures who call this forest their home. Lavish illustrations will draw readers in, and children will love searching for more creatures hiding among the trees. Extensive back matter includes an author's note and more information on the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest and the animals found inside the book!

A delightful read-aloud that kids are sure to turn to again and again.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781546103349
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	07/15/2025
Sold by:	Scholastic, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	20 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Jyoti Rajan Gopal is a writer, mom and Kindergarten teacher. She is the author of American Desi, illustrated by Supriya Kelkar, My Paati's Saris, illustrated by Art Twink, One Sweet Song, illustrated by Sonia Sánchez, and many more books for young children. Growing up, she lived in Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, India, and China. She now lives in New York, in a quirky old Victorian in Yonkers, with her husband, where they raised their two daughters.
Dikshaa Pawaskar is an Indian illustrator with a passion for creating unique and imaginative illustrations for children. While pursuing her BFA at a prestigious art institute in Mumbai, Dikshaa discovered her love for children's illustration. Through her artwork, Dikshaa enjoys exploring various textures and colors, always striving to find the perfect combination to capture the essence of her subject, whether it be a place or a character. In her work, she endeavors to create colorful and whimsical worlds that welcome you in and tell a story.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Over in the Mangroves:

"A fun spin on the counting rhyme "Over in the Meadow." ...Sweetly informative." Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2025-03-08
A fun spin on the popular counting rhyme “Over in the Meadow.”

“Over in the mangroves by the river in the sun, / slinks a fierce mama tiger and her little tiger one.” Losing none of the North American original’s sprightly rhythms and upbeat tone, this version shifts settings to the Sundarbans mangrove forest of India and Bangladesh. Ten animal species are introduced, among them pitta birds, crocodiles, and mud lobsters; they all then huddle beneath the overarching mangroves while a storm passes. Though most of the parental caregivers are moms, both the curlew and the seahorse are dads (“Cling, said the papa. /We cling said the nine”); it's a nicely inclusive touch and is also, as Gopal explains in her closing notes, scientifically accurate. Pawaskar gives the animals, even the honeybees and water snakes, engagingly wide googly eyes but otherwise depicts them with reasonable fidelity. In a final wordless spread, all bed down together in their swampy setting, “peaceable kingdom” style. Along with personal notes from the author and illustrator, the backmatter includes more information on each of the animals mentioned and explores the role the mangrove forest plays as both habitat and “climate helper.”

Sweetly informative.(Informational picture book. 5-7)

Kirkus Reviews