Book Series · 8 Books

Over and Under Books

In order from Over and Under the Snow to Over and Under the Coral Reef.

Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal pair a child's outdoor journey with a richly illustrated look at the animals and plants hidden above, below, and within an ecosystem.

Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated August 12, 2026

Reading order

How to Read the Over and Under Books

The eight published books are shown in publication order, from the snowy woods to a Caribbean coral reef. Every volume explores a different ecosystem and stands entirely on its own.

Choose by habitat or season if that better matches a child's curiosity. The back matter names featured species and adds facts that can extend a read-aloud into a nature or science discussion.

Sources: Chronicle Books: Over and Under the Coral Reef, Chronicle Books: Over and Under the Wetland, Chronicle Books: Over and Under the Pond.

For parents

What Parents Should Know

These are calm, information-rich picture books rather than a continuing fictional adventure. Their repeated above-and-below structure helps children understand habitats as connected communities.

Predators, prey, nests, burrows, and other natural processes appear without graphic detail. The books work especially well for animal lovers, outdoor families, classrooms, and children who enjoy pausing over detailed illustrations.

Where the story begins

First Book in the Series

Sale price

$2089

Book #1 · Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2011

Over and Under the Snow

By Kate Messner, Christopher Silas Neal (Illustrator)

A child explores the forest with their dad, learning about the secret kingdom of animals that live under the snow.

44 pages· 519 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud

5.1/7 Bookroo

$21.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Embark on a cross-country ski journey through a winter wonderland, where the surface is silent and white, but beneath lies a bustling secret world. Squirrels, snowshoe hares, bears, and bullfrogs thrive in their hidden habitats, revealing the mysteries of life under the snow. What secrets will you uncover in this enchanting winter landscape?

In reading order

Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2021

Explore a hidden desert world teeming with life beneath the canyon's scorching sun.

#6 in Series

Sale price

$1899

Over and Under the Waves

Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2022

Dive into the hidden world of kelp forests, teeming with life just beneath the waves.

#7 in Series

Sale price

$1899

Over and Under the Wetland

Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2024

Uncover the hidden world of the Everglades, where secrets of nature await beneath the swamp's surface.

#8 in Series

Sale price

$1797

Over and Under the Coral Reef

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2025

Dive into the vibrant mysteries of a Caribbean coral reef, teeming with life above and below the waves.

Good to know

Common Questions

How many books are in the Over and Under series?

There are 8 books in the Over and Under series. It began with Over and Under the Snow in 2011, and the newest book, Over and Under the Coral Reef, was published in 2025.