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Greenriver
The Story of Green River
The animals of Greenriver are in danger. Can Sedge and Silken find their way along the river to each other in time to save their home? A gorgeously illustrated adventure story that readers aged 8+ will treasure.
Last spring, the otters’ home flooded. Now the water is high again.
Young otter Sedge believes he can save his holt from another flood – but he has to be brave enough travel downstream for help.
Downriver, the beaver lodge is also at risk. Silken – who is too small and weak to do the work needed to strengthen the beavers’ dam – feels something calling her up the river.
As the two animals unknowingly swim towards each other, they are drawn to the spirit of Greenriver, who takes the form of a snow-white otter, Lady River.
But will Lady River hear their plea for safety?
From million-copy selling Holly Webb comes a modern classic – a gorgeously-written epic journey about two animals and their against-the-odds journey to find each other. Perfect for fans of Pax.
Last spring, the otters’ home flooded. Now the water is high again.
Young otter Sedge believes he can save his holt from another flood – but he has to be brave enough travel downstream for help.
Downriver, the beaver lodge is also at risk. Silken – who is too small and weak to do the work needed to strengthen the beavers’ dam – feels something calling her up the river.
As the two animals unknowingly swim towards each other, they are drawn to the spirit of Greenriver, who takes the form of a snow-white otter, Lady River.
But will Lady River hear their plea for safety?
From million-copy selling Holly Webb comes a modern classic – a gorgeously-written epic journey about two animals and their against-the-odds journey to find each other. Perfect for fans of Pax.
236 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2022
About the author
Holly Webb
322 books420 followersHolly Webb is one of Britain's best-loved children's writers. She has written over a hundred books for children, and her work has been translated into over thirty languages. Holly lives in Tilehurst, just outside of Reading, Berkshire, with her husband, three children and several cats.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 4, 2023
Książka Holly Webb ma w sobie coś z "O czym szumią wierzby", do tego namiastkę klimatu "Wiklinowej Zatoki", a momentami nie potrafiłam oprzeć się migawkom z "Encanto". Połączenie ukochanych tytułów w jeden, zupełnie od nich różny, a przy tym równie wspaniały - czy może być coś lepszego?
Cóż to była za uczta. Wspaniała historia, urzekająca klimatem wyżej wspomnianych dzieł, która czerpie z nich niezbędne minimum, dając od siebie masę barwnych postaci, niekończące się przygody oraz falę różnorakich emocji - rwących jak tytułowa rzeka.
Cieszy mnie niezmiernie podejście autorki do wykreowanych bohaterów, na barkach których w głównej mierze spoczywa ciężar odbioru książki. Towarzyszące im rozterki nie znikały za sprawą magicznej różdżki czy innego gwiezdnego pyłu. Zamiast fontanny lukru i deszczu kolorowej posypki otrzymujemy kojący plusk oraz ożywczą mgiełkę - i chwała za to. W efekcie mamy do czynienia z tytułem idealnym, którego pierwotna grupa docelowa 9-12 latków nie jest w stanie zaskarbić sobie na wyłączność.
Miałam cichutką nadzieję na kolejne w tym roku 5 gwiazdek - niestety, po drodze nieco się rozminęłyśmy. To zapewne wina moich niebotycznych oczekiwań. Niemniej, czwórkę w towarzystwie OGROMNEGO plusa stawiam z czystym sumieniem. Nie mogę doczekać się kolejnych tomów! ❤
Cóż to była za uczta. Wspaniała historia, urzekająca klimatem wyżej wspomnianych dzieł, która czerpie z nich niezbędne minimum, dając od siebie masę barwnych postaci, niekończące się przygody oraz falę różnorakich emocji - rwących jak tytułowa rzeka.
Cieszy mnie niezmiernie podejście autorki do wykreowanych bohaterów, na barkach których w głównej mierze spoczywa ciężar odbioru książki. Towarzyszące im rozterki nie znikały za sprawą magicznej różdżki czy innego gwiezdnego pyłu. Zamiast fontanny lukru i deszczu kolorowej posypki otrzymujemy kojący plusk oraz ożywczą mgiełkę - i chwała za to. W efekcie mamy do czynienia z tytułem idealnym, którego pierwotna grupa docelowa 9-12 latków nie jest w stanie zaskarbić sobie na wyłączność.
Miałam cichutką nadzieję na kolejne w tym roku 5 gwiazdek - niestety, po drodze nieco się rozminęłyśmy. To zapewne wina moich niebotycznych oczekiwań. Niemniej, czwórkę w towarzystwie OGROMNEGO plusa stawiam z czystym sumieniem. Nie mogę doczekać się kolejnych tomów! ❤
July 10, 2022
I was lucky enough to read multiple drafts of this book, and oh wow do I love it! I've always, always admired Holly Webb's writing, but this book hits a completely new level and feels wonderfully warm, classic and magical. This is the blurb I just sent for it: "Gorgeously magical, epic, and emotionally powerful. I loved it so much!"
October 11, 2023
This is a lovely book with a feel of Bramley hedge or watership down and quite different to the (many) other Holly Webb books we have read together. The full page grey scale illustrations are beautiful (though they do rather it interrupt the story when you are reading aloud and have to stop so everyone can look at the picture), and it has the clear and easy writing style that you expect from Holly Webb. We loved learning about otters and beavers, and enjoyed singing silken’s songs together.
A great book which we would thoroughly recommend.
A great book which we would thoroughly recommend.
September 2, 2026
It was beautiful, I cried a little at the end
June 28, 2023
"Opowieści z Zielonej Rzeki" to pokrzepiająca historia, która sprawia, że człowiek zaczyna się zastanawiać nad przyziemnymi rzeczami.
Opowieść Szuwara i Satynki jest niezwykle wciągająca. Satynka żyje wśród bobrów, ale czuję się za słaba, za mała, zbyt dziwna. Szuwar jest wydrą, która martwi się, że powódź zniszczy jego dom. Żyją po przeciwległych stronach rzeki, ale wyruszają w podróż wzdłuż niej. Czy ich los się połączy? Musicie przekonać się sami.
Książka przekazuje wiele wartości i jednocześnie zapewnia dobrą rozrywkę. Fabuła jest ciekawa, ale nie zbyt skomplikowana, dzięki czemu młodsi czytelnicy nie będą mieli problemu z połapaniem się w świecie. Momentami jest smutno, czuć strach, ale jest też wiele momentów pełnych nadziei. Ta książka w tej krótkiej formie porusza wiele ważnych kwestii.
Opowieść Szuwara i Satynki jest niezwykle wciągająca. Satynka żyje wśród bobrów, ale czuję się za słaba, za mała, zbyt dziwna. Szuwar jest wydrą, która martwi się, że powódź zniszczy jego dom. Żyją po przeciwległych stronach rzeki, ale wyruszają w podróż wzdłuż niej. Czy ich los się połączy? Musicie przekonać się sami.
Książka przekazuje wiele wartości i jednocześnie zapewnia dobrą rozrywkę. Fabuła jest ciekawa, ale nie zbyt skomplikowana, dzięki czemu młodsi czytelnicy nie będą mieli problemu z połapaniem się w świecie. Momentami jest smutno, czuć strach, ale jest też wiele momentów pełnych nadziei. Ta książka w tej krótkiej formie porusza wiele ważnych kwestii.
August 31, 2026
The Story of Greenriver was such a lovely surprise.
I went into this expecting a sweet animal story, and while it certainly is that, I found it much more emotional than I expected. It is a story about family, belonging, courage, grief, and discovering that sometimes where you belong isn't necessarily where you came from.
Silken was the character I connected with most. She is raised by beavers, but from the very beginning she doesn't quite fit in. She is weaker than the other beavers and is judged harshly for things that aren't her fault. It was difficult to read about how some of them treated her, especially when she was simply trying to find her place.
Then we discover that Silken isn't a beaver at all. She is an otter, and suddenly so many things about her life make sense.
But what I loved most was that the story doesn't make this discovery erase the family who raised her. Her beaver father knew she wasn't a beaver and still took her in because she needed him, but also because he needed her as much as she needed him. That was probably my favourite idea in the entire book. Family isn't only about blood.
I really enjoyed Sedge's character as well. He spends so much of the story worrying that he isn't good enough, especially when comparing himself to his mother, the Queen. But his journey shows that courage isn't about being fearless or becoming exactly like someone else. Sometimes it is simply doing what needs to be done even when you're frightened.
There were several moments that really got to me, specially Vane's request for Silken and Sedge to remember his partner's name - Quill. And I loved that this wasn't forgotten. Silken eventually becomes the one who tells their story, singing of Vane and Quill so that Quill's memory can live on. It felt like such a beautiful continuation of one of the book's biggest themes: that people we love don't completely disappear as long as we remember them.
The ending was wonderfully satisfying. Silken finds her biological family, but she doesn't have to give up the family that raised her. She keeps her beaver name, and her beaver father remains part of her life. The final letter between her new mother and her beaver father was such a lovely touch.
It made me realise that Silken didn't really have to choose between two families. She gained another one.
The story is sweet, but it isn't afraid to deal with sadness, loss, fear, and grief. And underneath all of that is a beautiful message about belonging: sometimes being different doesn't mean there is something wrong with you. Sometimes it simply means you haven't yet found where you fit.
A gentle, emotional, and genuinely lovely story. I enjoyed it much more than I expected to, and I became surprisingly attached to these characters.
I went into this expecting a sweet animal story, and while it certainly is that, I found it much more emotional than I expected. It is a story about family, belonging, courage, grief, and discovering that sometimes where you belong isn't necessarily where you came from.
Silken was the character I connected with most. She is raised by beavers, but from the very beginning she doesn't quite fit in. She is weaker than the other beavers and is judged harshly for things that aren't her fault. It was difficult to read about how some of them treated her, especially when she was simply trying to find her place.
Then we discover that Silken isn't a beaver at all. She is an otter, and suddenly so many things about her life make sense.
But what I loved most was that the story doesn't make this discovery erase the family who raised her. Her beaver father knew she wasn't a beaver and still took her in because she needed him, but also because he needed her as much as she needed him. That was probably my favourite idea in the entire book. Family isn't only about blood.
I really enjoyed Sedge's character as well. He spends so much of the story worrying that he isn't good enough, especially when comparing himself to his mother, the Queen. But his journey shows that courage isn't about being fearless or becoming exactly like someone else. Sometimes it is simply doing what needs to be done even when you're frightened.
There were several moments that really got to me, specially Vane's request for Silken and Sedge to remember his partner's name - Quill. And I loved that this wasn't forgotten. Silken eventually becomes the one who tells their story, singing of Vane and Quill so that Quill's memory can live on. It felt like such a beautiful continuation of one of the book's biggest themes: that people we love don't completely disappear as long as we remember them.
The ending was wonderfully satisfying. Silken finds her biological family, but she doesn't have to give up the family that raised her. She keeps her beaver name, and her beaver father remains part of her life. The final letter between her new mother and her beaver father was such a lovely touch.
It made me realise that Silken didn't really have to choose between two families. She gained another one.
The story is sweet, but it isn't afraid to deal with sadness, loss, fear, and grief. And underneath all of that is a beautiful message about belonging: sometimes being different doesn't mean there is something wrong with you. Sometimes it simply means you haven't yet found where you fit.
A gentle, emotional, and genuinely lovely story. I enjoyed it much more than I expected to, and I became surprisingly attached to these characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2023
This is such a lovely story. I actually received and read book 2 in this series from Netgalley before I was granted access to book 1. But I was delighted to receive the notification informing me that I could now access the first segment in the saga of Sedge and Silken, and their respective communities.
Silken is small and weak, something of a misfit in her beaver lodge. She doesn't look or sound like other members of her community, but her father - the leader of the beavers - is fiercely protective of his daughter, and Silken does the best she can to meet the expectations of her family.
Meanwhile, at the otters' holt, Sedge is a young cub, expected to someday be the heir to his mother, who is currently the leader of the otters. He has dim memories from the past, which indicate that something terrible happened, but he is not entirely sure of the nature of that event.
The story is told from their two points of view, and as each undertakes their own journey, their paths inexorably converge. Once they meet, friendships will be formed, secrets will be shared, and a terrible danger will threaten the two young creatures...
Holly Webb is an extremely talented writer and there are beautiful illustrations to go with the story. Like book 2, I really enjoyed this story, and recommend it for young readers - particularly those who love animals.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Silken is small and weak, something of a misfit in her beaver lodge. She doesn't look or sound like other members of her community, but her father - the leader of the beavers - is fiercely protective of his daughter, and Silken does the best she can to meet the expectations of her family.
Meanwhile, at the otters' holt, Sedge is a young cub, expected to someday be the heir to his mother, who is currently the leader of the otters. He has dim memories from the past, which indicate that something terrible happened, but he is not entirely sure of the nature of that event.
The story is told from their two points of view, and as each undertakes their own journey, their paths inexorably converge. Once they meet, friendships will be formed, secrets will be shared, and a terrible danger will threaten the two young creatures...
Holly Webb is an extremely talented writer and there are beautiful illustrations to go with the story. Like book 2, I really enjoyed this story, and recommend it for young readers - particularly those who love animals.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
July 15, 2025
I had high hopes for The Story of Greenriver. With its beautiful hardback cover, signed edition, and a premise that seemed tailor-made for me, I was eager to dive in. However, despite the promising start, the story didn't quite capture my attention as I had hoped.
The narrative centres on Sedge, a young otter, and Silken, a beaver, both facing challenges in their respective communities. Their journeys along the river aim to find each other and seek help to save their homes from rising waters. While the setting and concept were appealing, I found the pacing slow and the plot predictable.
The story, while beautifully written, lacked the depth and excitement expected from such a premise. The characters, though endearing, didn't seem to evolve in ways that kept the narrative engaging.
Despite its enchanting illustrations and the potential for a captivating tale, the book didn't resonate with me as much as I had anticipated. While it may appeal to younger readers or those new to Holly Webb's work, I found it didn't quite meet the expectations set by its presentation. Two stars for the story, one for the beautiful cover!
The narrative centres on Sedge, a young otter, and Silken, a beaver, both facing challenges in their respective communities. Their journeys along the river aim to find each other and seek help to save their homes from rising waters. While the setting and concept were appealing, I found the pacing slow and the plot predictable.
The story, while beautifully written, lacked the depth and excitement expected from such a premise. The characters, though endearing, didn't seem to evolve in ways that kept the narrative engaging.
Despite its enchanting illustrations and the potential for a captivating tale, the book didn't resonate with me as much as I had anticipated. While it may appeal to younger readers or those new to Holly Webb's work, I found it didn't quite meet the expectations set by its presentation. Two stars for the story, one for the beautiful cover!
August 7, 2022
The Greenriver loved her otters, until she didn't...However much love and ceremony the otters poured out on the water, the river was always hard to predict, and sometimes, she could be cruel.
Holly Webb has written literally dozens of books about animals already, but they have usually been animal animals. The characters in this story, beavers, otters, swans and other wild animals, are more human animals - they use tools, wear sashes and decorations, have writing and music and histories and cultures. This isn't a criticism! I love this style of storytelling, and they are still very definitely wild animals living in a wild landscape.
Holly has a gift for writing touching but not over the top moments - I keep a running tally of how often I cry reading her books - and this book is no exception. I figured out the twist early on, but younger readers will probably not see it coming. The adventure was suitably perilous without being so awful that it will scare children.
I have no idea how Holly manages to write so many books, but I hope she doesn't stop for a long time yet.
Holly Webb has written literally dozens of books about animals already, but they have usually been animal animals. The characters in this story, beavers, otters, swans and other wild animals, are more human animals - they use tools, wear sashes and decorations, have writing and music and histories and cultures. This isn't a criticism! I love this style of storytelling, and they are still very definitely wild animals living in a wild landscape.
Holly has a gift for writing touching but not over the top moments - I keep a running tally of how often I cry reading her books - and this book is no exception. I figured out the twist early on, but younger readers will probably not see it coming. The adventure was suitably perilous without being so awful that it will scare children.
I have no idea how Holly manages to write so many books, but I hope she doesn't stop for a long time yet.
March 9, 2025
4,5*/5*
Ďalšia príjemná detská knižka, ktorá sa mi dostala pod ruky. Fascinuje ma, že aj keď sú tieto knihy písané primárne pre deti, stále tam nájdem nejaké odkazy pre rodičov a dospelých ľudí. A inak to nebolo aj v tomto príbehu.
Kniha poukazuje na to, že každý človek na tomto svete má svoje miesto a má právo niekam patriť a cítiť sa milovaný. Príbeh je o prijatí aj o prijímaní rozdielov a pochopení, že každý je výnimočný a dôležitý. Je o sile rodiny, priateľstva, poznania a odvahy zistiť odkiaľ naozaj pochádzame.
Hlavnými postavami sú Sedge a Silken a aj keď sú úplne rozdielní, majú predsa len niečo spoločné. Silken je malá a často bola odsúvaná na bok a to aj kvôli tomu, že nebola rovnaká ako Sedge aj keď žili v jednej rodine. Spolu boli skvelí a keď sa im naskytne príležitosť, vydajú sa na malé dobrodružstvo v ktorom pátrajú po svojich koreňoch a tešia sa na lepšie zajtrajšky.
Kniha je plná pekných myšlienok a hlbokých monológov postáv. A aj keď ide hlavne o deti, aj my dospelí si v tom nájdeme to dôležité.
Ďalšia príjemná detská knižka, ktorá sa mi dostala pod ruky. Fascinuje ma, že aj keď sú tieto knihy písané primárne pre deti, stále tam nájdem nejaké odkazy pre rodičov a dospelých ľudí. A inak to nebolo aj v tomto príbehu.
Kniha poukazuje na to, že každý človek na tomto svete má svoje miesto a má právo niekam patriť a cítiť sa milovaný. Príbeh je o prijatí aj o prijímaní rozdielov a pochopení, že každý je výnimočný a dôležitý. Je o sile rodiny, priateľstva, poznania a odvahy zistiť odkiaľ naozaj pochádzame.
Hlavnými postavami sú Sedge a Silken a aj keď sú úplne rozdielní, majú predsa len niečo spoločné. Silken je malá a často bola odsúvaná na bok a to aj kvôli tomu, že nebola rovnaká ako Sedge aj keď žili v jednej rodine. Spolu boli skvelí a keď sa im naskytne príležitosť, vydajú sa na malé dobrodružstvo v ktorom pátrajú po svojich koreňoch a tešia sa na lepšie zajtrajšky.
Kniha je plná pekných myšlienok a hlbokých monológov postáv. A aj keď ide hlavne o deti, aj my dospelí si v tom nájdeme to dôležité.
July 20, 2023
Middle grade. Otters and beavers. Family.
Story: Silken doesn't fit in with her tribe - she's no good at helping out and she sings unlike everyone else. Until one day she runs away and an adventure begins.
Characters: Silken and her tribe, Sedge and his
Language: set on a river, timeless, long chapters, dual perspective
I've read a few of Holly Webb's easy readers and picked this up at the chance to read a book for older readers. The story starts slow as there's lots of world building and characters, which may deter some readers. The book picks up around halfway and speeds to an enjoyable climax and ending that both ties things up and leaves the story open for the next book in the series. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would and look forward to book two!
Story: Silken doesn't fit in with her tribe - she's no good at helping out and she sings unlike everyone else. Until one day she runs away and an adventure begins.
Characters: Silken and her tribe, Sedge and his
Language: set on a river, timeless, long chapters, dual perspective
I've read a few of Holly Webb's easy readers and picked this up at the chance to read a book for older readers. The story starts slow as there's lots of world building and characters, which may deter some readers. The book picks up around halfway and speeds to an enjoyable climax and ending that both ties things up and leaves the story open for the next book in the series. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would and look forward to book two!
December 23, 2023
4.5 stars
An enchanting and beautiful story about loss, family, reconciliation and belonging. Mother Nature needs our care and cooperation, fighting against her will only result in heartache. And we need to care for each other, in all our differences. Our differences are what can make us stronger together.
Otters are my favourite animal, and the delightful illustrations really brought them to life.
A lovely read for anyone who feels they do not belong.
An enchanting and beautiful story about loss, family, reconciliation and belonging. Mother Nature needs our care and cooperation, fighting against her will only result in heartache. And we need to care for each other, in all our differences. Our differences are what can make us stronger together.
Otters are my favourite animal, and the delightful illustrations really brought them to life.
A lovely read for anyone who feels they do not belong.
July 27, 2022
An outcast from a badger lodge and a young otter with vague memories of a tragedy that needs a full stop both set off on their own journeys, in what proves ultimately to be an utterly heart-warming animal drama of wide appeal.
For the rest of my very positive review, please click on :-
http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/T...
For the rest of my very positive review, please click on :-
http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/T...
December 9, 2023
A perfect middle grade novel with a magical, heartwarming story and very likeable characters. I always love a good animal story with a fantasy twist, here the story involves myths, magic, and songs.
April 30, 2024
Love Holly Webb books
September 19, 2024
A great read. I was immediately brought into the world of the river from the first page. Beautiful illustrations.
April 30, 2025
tazke na citanie pre 7 rokov, je to skor pre vacsie deti
September 7, 2025
whimsical, deep, beautifly written.
June 28, 2023
3.5⭐️
bardzo przyjemna byla ta ksiazka i nie odczuwalem jakos mega bardzo ze jest to wlasnie takie dla dzieci. fabula jest ciekawa i ogolnie po prostu jest taka mila i przyjemna, bohaterowie tez sa tacy oni sa przeslodcy uwielbiam ich wszytskich. sam styl pisania tez jest swietny. nie spodziewalem sie ze ta ksiazka okaze sie tak dobrze spedzonym czasem
bardzo przyjemna byla ta ksiazka i nie odczuwalem jakos mega bardzo ze jest to wlasnie takie dla dzieci. fabula jest ciekawa i ogolnie po prostu jest taka mila i przyjemna, bohaterowie tez sa tacy oni sa przeslodcy uwielbiam ich wszytskich. sam styl pisania tez jest swietny. nie spodziewalem sie ze ta ksiazka okaze sie tak dobrze spedzonym czasem
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews