Back in the 1990's I would read reviews in SB&F, never dreaming I'd be a published author and that "Over in a River, Flowing Out to the Sea" would be my 14th book and get a review like this. THANK YOU, SB&F, you made my day! (correction, you made my month.) and thank you, Jill Dubin, for the gorgeous joyful illustrations!
This is a counting song about rivers and the denizens of their riparian habitats sung the old children’s tune “Over in the Meadow,” music and lyrics provided in the back of the book. As they sing along, readers meet in two-page spreads 10 river animals and their young one to ten from manatee, heron, salmon, mallard duck, water snake, beaver, dragonfly, muskrat, frogs, and otter in their habitats described in appropriate lyrics with name of the young highlighted in italics. To add interest each page has an animal hidden in the habitat for children to find. Reinforcing their counting are numerals one to 10 and one to 10 cattails located at the bottom of the pages.
But this is more than a counting book; it is also an introduction to geography. Each animal is associated with one of the major river systems shown on its own individual map of the United States: St. Johns, Hudson, Columbia, Ohio, Colorado, Rio Grande, Missouri, Sacramento, and Mississippi. All riversystems with their associated animals are then summarized on one large map on the last page. Back matter provides accounts of the river systems and animals along with suggested activities.
Not to go unmentioned is the unique and outstanding artwork for which the artist employed colored paper collages, pastels, and colored pencils to produce illustrations that for a children’s book are in a class by themselves. Both adults and children will find this book highly appealing.
— Science Books & Films (November 2013)
HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!
This is a counting song about rivers and the denizens of their riparian habitats sung the old children’s tune “Over in the Meadow,” music and lyrics provided in the back of the book. As they sing along, readers meet in two-page spreads 10 river animals and their young one to ten from manatee, heron, salmon, mallard duck, water snake, beaver, dragonfly, muskrat, frogs, and otter in their habitats described in appropriate lyrics with name of the young highlighted in italics. To add interest each page has an animal hidden in the habitat for children to find. Reinforcing their counting are numerals one to 10 and one to 10 cattails located at the bottom of the pages.
But this is more than a counting book; it is also an introduction to geography. Each animal is associated with one of the major river systems shown on its own individual map of the United States: St. Johns, Hudson, Columbia, Ohio, Colorado, Rio Grande, Missouri, Sacramento, and Mississippi. All riversystems with their associated animals are then summarized on one large map on the last page. Back matter provides accounts of the river systems and animals along with suggested activities.
Not to go unmentioned is the unique and outstanding artwork for which the artist employed colored paper collages, pastels, and colored pencils to produce illustrations that for a children’s book are in a class by themselves. Both adults and children will find this book highly appealing.
— Science Books & Films (November 2013)
HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!