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Over In ...
Over in a River: Flowing Out to the Sea
Learning becomes fun for everyone in this book about the geography of north American rivers and about the animals that live in this habitat. The amazing artwork in this book will inspire kids in classrooms and at home to appreciate the world around us! The great rivers of North America are teeming with life and on the pages of Over in a River ―from blue herons in the Hudson to salmon in the Columbia, and from dragonflies in the Rio Grande to mallards in the St. Lawrence. Children will "slither" like water snakes and "slide" like otters while singing to the tune of "Over in a Meadow." Read about the snake, beaver, frog, otter, dragonfly, and more that lives along the rivers! Kids love counting books, too! What a delightful way to learn about riparian habitats and geography at the same time! Backmatter Further information about rivers and the animals in this book! Music and song lyrics to "Over in the River" sung to the tune "Over in the Meadow"!
32 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
306 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
April 29, 2020
REVIEW OF THE KINDLE EDITION
Please do note that my rather ho-hum and unimpressed two star ranking of Over in a River: Flowing out to the Sea, which is basically an adaptation of the well-known Over in the Meadow song, but in this case with diverse American rivers and some of their respective animal species being featured, is totally and absolutely the sorry and annoying fact that in the Kindle edition I read, both Marianne Berkes' adapted lyrics and Jill Dubin's accompanying artwork are in my opinion and according to my eyes much too small for easy and painless perusal and as such of course also much too small to easily and successfully share Over in a River: Flowing out to the Sea with young children, with the intended audience and age group as a read aloud or even as a read along. And yes, since Over in a River: Flowing out to the Sea is from where I am standing first and foremost meant to be a picture book to be read WITH OR TO younger children, having both Berkes' text and Dubin's images appear in such a tiny and not that easy on the eyes electronic format does in my opinion make the Kindle edition of Over in a River: Flowing out to the Sea really and truly defeat its purpose (and not to mention that the supplemental information section of Over in a River: Flowing out to the Sea is even more minuscule than the text proper and is basically pretty well totally illegible because of that, and with NO WAY of even zooming in either).
And thus, although I do in fact recommend both Marianne Berkes' fun and engaging (albeit of course also a trifle repetitive) river-themed lyrics and find Jill Dubin's illustrations a colourfully delightful aesthetic mirror and complement, I really and truly cannot and will not recommend the Kindle edition of Over in a River: Flowing out to the Sea and strongly suggest that if anyone does want to try this book with his or her children, to only consider the traditional dead tree version, as the Kindle edition really is absolutely frustrating.
Please do note that my rather ho-hum and unimpressed two star ranking of Over in a River: Flowing out to the Sea, which is basically an adaptation of the well-known Over in the Meadow song, but in this case with diverse American rivers and some of their respective animal species being featured, is totally and absolutely the sorry and annoying fact that in the Kindle edition I read, both Marianne Berkes' adapted lyrics and Jill Dubin's accompanying artwork are in my opinion and according to my eyes much too small for easy and painless perusal and as such of course also much too small to easily and successfully share Over in a River: Flowing out to the Sea with young children, with the intended audience and age group as a read aloud or even as a read along. And yes, since Over in a River: Flowing out to the Sea is from where I am standing first and foremost meant to be a picture book to be read WITH OR TO younger children, having both Berkes' text and Dubin's images appear in such a tiny and not that easy on the eyes electronic format does in my opinion make the Kindle edition of Over in a River: Flowing out to the Sea really and truly defeat its purpose (and not to mention that the supplemental information section of Over in a River: Flowing out to the Sea is even more minuscule than the text proper and is basically pretty well totally illegible because of that, and with NO WAY of even zooming in either).
And thus, although I do in fact recommend both Marianne Berkes' fun and engaging (albeit of course also a trifle repetitive) river-themed lyrics and find Jill Dubin's illustrations a colourfully delightful aesthetic mirror and complement, I really and truly cannot and will not recommend the Kindle edition of Over in a River: Flowing out to the Sea and strongly suggest that if anyone does want to try this book with his or her children, to only consider the traditional dead tree version, as the Kindle edition really is absolutely frustrating.
May 20, 2020
Engaging and informative. Really appreciated how each page had a US map inset highlighting the river where each animal lives. Back matter is extensive and educational, with details about each animal as well as each river, suggestions for further exploration with books and internet resources, and even the sheet music for the song. Excellent! I did find some of the rhymes a bit lackluster. For example, "Over in a river / Where they swallow prey alive / Lived a mother water snake / And her little hatchlings five." (It rhymes, and is accurate, but I just found it kind of jarring.) Or "Over in a river / Where they could communicate / Lived a furry mother muskrat / and her little kits eight." (Just seems a bit of a stretch for the rhyme... it didn't seem specific enough to muskrats since they are not the only animals to communicate nor does the back matter say their communication has to happen specifically in a river.) But, I'm being picky. Overall, this is a great educational value, engaging and enjoyable to read, with lots of beneficial back matter, and we will look for more in this series.
August 17, 2013
Have you ever seen a real, live manatee? Do you even know what it is? Over in the St. John River of Florida “Where the warm waters run Lived a mother manatee And her little calf one.” Manatees are marine mammals which live in the ocean but paddle into warmer rivers when the ocean temperature drops below 65 degrees. Other kinds of animals live in, on, above, or around the great rivers of North America, like blue herons in the Hudson, salmon in the Columbia, dragonflies in the Rio Grande, and mallards in the St. Lawrence. Author Marianne Berkes discusses ten different types of such animals following the same pattern of the children’s folk song "Over in a Meadow" that she used in her five previous books in this series, Over in Australia, Over in the Forest, Over in the Jungle, Over in the Ocean, and Over in the Arctic, the first four of which have been previously reviewed here. Do you know where otters live, what their babies are called, and what they like to do?
Not only is the book educational but it also holds children’s attention well with its interactive features. In addition to illustrator Jill Dubin’s colorful cut-paper pictures enhanced with colored pencils and pastels which show the animals in their natural habitats near or on the river, each page names the animal with a map of where it lives, identifies the name of the animal’s babies, and tells what the animals do. There is the added benefit of reinforcing counting from one to ten. And each picture contains a hidden animal for the child to find. Furthermore, the back pages contain more information about the rivers and the animals, along with tips from both the author and the illustrator. Under “Fact or Fiction?”, Berkes writes, “The animals in this story behave as they have been portrayed—muskrats squeal, manatees paddle, and dragonflies whirl. That’s a fact! But do they have the number of babies as in this rhyme? No, that is fiction!” Science, math, reading, and geography all in one fun book—what more could one ask for?
Not only is the book educational but it also holds children’s attention well with its interactive features. In addition to illustrator Jill Dubin’s colorful cut-paper pictures enhanced with colored pencils and pastels which show the animals in their natural habitats near or on the river, each page names the animal with a map of where it lives, identifies the name of the animal’s babies, and tells what the animals do. There is the added benefit of reinforcing counting from one to ten. And each picture contains a hidden animal for the child to find. Furthermore, the back pages contain more information about the rivers and the animals, along with tips from both the author and the illustrator. Under “Fact or Fiction?”, Berkes writes, “The animals in this story behave as they have been portrayed—muskrats squeal, manatees paddle, and dragonflies whirl. That’s a fact! But do they have the number of babies as in this rhyme? No, that is fiction!” Science, math, reading, and geography all in one fun book—what more could one ask for?
December 9, 2013
Age: Preschool-1st grade
Animals: River dwellers
A magnificent interpretation of "Over in the Meadow" with text that flows and meter that actually works. Berkes has done this traditional song with several other habitats and their creatures (so I hope she could make it work). This book gets an extra star for all the supplementary material, too, including a map of the US and the highlighted river of each animal, a three sentence blurb on each animal, a couple paragraphs on river conservation, distinguishing from fact and fiction, tips for teachers, tips from the illustrator, and musical notation of the song. Phew!
Also a bonus is that Berkes includes the numerical number on each page to help with learning numbers. There is an unfortunate side to this book. The animals do not have the number of babies as given in this rhyme.
Animals: River dwellers
A magnificent interpretation of "Over in the Meadow" with text that flows and meter that actually works. Berkes has done this traditional song with several other habitats and their creatures (so I hope she could make it work). This book gets an extra star for all the supplementary material, too, including a map of the US and the highlighted river of each animal, a three sentence blurb on each animal, a couple paragraphs on river conservation, distinguishing from fact and fiction, tips for teachers, tips from the illustrator, and musical notation of the song. Phew!
Also a bonus is that Berkes includes the numerical number on each page to help with learning numbers. There is an unfortunate side to this book. The animals do not have the number of babies as given in this rhyme.
October 13, 2013
This is a delightful rhyming picture book with fanciful illustrations. I don't know why rhyming books have gone out of style because I really like them. I loved them as a child and imagine today's children probably do as well.
I love any book for children that helps children appreciate nature. This book makes nature as fun as I always thought it was. And it includes a little math in the equation :) Another fun addition is a hidden creature in each picture that gives children a challenge.
In the back are some teaching aids as well as more information about the animals in the book. The only problem I found is that some of the hidden animals appear in the crease so they are almost impossible to find. Otherwise it was an enjoyable experience, one that I think children will love.
I love any book for children that helps children appreciate nature. This book makes nature as fun as I always thought it was. And it includes a little math in the equation :) Another fun addition is a hidden creature in each picture that gives children a challenge.
In the back are some teaching aids as well as more information about the animals in the book. The only problem I found is that some of the hidden animals appear in the crease so they are almost impossible to find. Otherwise it was an enjoyable experience, one that I think children will love.
October 24, 2013
Based on a well-known nursery song, this rhyming book by Marianne Berkes has children count baby animals in watersheds all over North America, complete with a U.S. outline map with the river identified. The back of the book has added information about the animals and the watershed areas, and activity ideas for teachers or parents to use with children. The illustrator has hidden other creatures in the pictures. Riparian habitats and geography in one fell swoop. Other titles by the same author are:
"Over in the Forest: Come and Take a Peek"
"Over in the Arctic: Where the Cold Winds Blow"
"Over in the Jungle: A Rainforest Rhyme"
"Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef"
"Over in Australia: Amazing Animals Down Under"
"Over in the Forest: Come and Take a Peek"
"Over in the Arctic: Where the Cold Winds Blow"
"Over in the Jungle: A Rainforest Rhyme"
"Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef"
"Over in Australia: Amazing Animals Down Under"
September 3, 2016
I love Jill Dubin's cut paper colleges used to illustrate the book. They have dimension,wonderful color, and happily take up most of the page space. The text, which only takes about a fourth of the spread, is found to the side. It names the animal and it's babies name (in italic). Plus the number word is in a different color along with the number itself at the bottom. All of it follows the rhythm of "Over in the Meadow". Two wonderful additions to this version are a map on each page showing a major United States river and a hidden animal. I read the story and then went back to look for the animal. If you aren't sure what to look for check the informational pages at the end for help. This is a story meant to be read several times: read, count, look.
July 29, 2013
Although some of the verses and rhymes are a bit awkward and the word "river" is capitalized in some spots and lowercase in others, this informative version of "Over in the Meadow" teaches readers about great blue herons, dragonflies, and river otters, among other residents of the rivers in North America. Young readers will love whirling, squealing, gnawing, and slithering as well as repeating the song's lyrics and counting all the animals that pop up across the book's pages. The cut-paper illustrations enhanced with colored pencils and pastels show the animals in their natural habitats near or on the river.
October 10, 2013
I absolutely loved this children's book. It is educational and entertaining in so many ways. I was able to share it with a family of 6 kids, each using their own individual talents. Education of the rivers for the 1st grader, of the seek and find for the kindergartener, musical lyrics for the 5th grader, and wonderful illustration career encouragement for the high school age!
I wouldn't have gone out of my way to purchase it as a single 40 year old, but am very thankful for the opportunity to learn about it through the Goodreads.com giveaway contest!
I wouldn't have gone out of my way to purchase it as a single 40 year old, but am very thankful for the opportunity to learn about it through the Goodreads.com giveaway contest!
December 5, 2013
Lots going on in this deceptive format of a picture book. Well there is counting for the younger ages as well as good paper collage illustrations. There is for primary students info about rivers in the US as well as the terms used for the young of each of the species presented. Then for older students as well as teachers and parents is additional info about the rivers and animals. And the info is presented in song form based on Over in in the Meadow. The reader definitely needs to pay attention when reading this one.
October 2, 2013
Over in a River Flowing Out to the Sea is a real gem! Perhaps it is written for children, but adults will love this treasure! With all the animals, many rivers, and a surprise at the end, this book will bring countless hours of fun and learning for anyone who reads! Beautifully illustrated and many lessons to learn earns this book the top mark, a five star review! Great for a gift or anyone who would like to share.
January 16, 2014
Over in a River was meant to be used in a classroom setting. The author (Marianne Berkes) and illustrator (Jill Dubin) have devoted pages to explain their craft, differentiate fact from fiction, and to provide facts about the animals, rivers and sources of water in the book. The story with the new verses, is patterned after the tune, "Over in the Meadow" which is included at the end of the book.
March 22, 2014
My 3 yo daughter loves this book--she's sitting watching "Puss in Boots" right now, but holding the book in her lap and fingering the pages--and it's for both of us that I give it 5 stars. Every double-page spread has so much to engage her: there's the verse itself, finding the hidden animal, reading the featured number, and counting the corresponding number of cattails. It's a winner for my toddler, the kind of book I would buy for her permanent library.
January 23, 2014
This book blends rhyming, counting, vocabulary, and nature in a beautifully illustrated story. I learned about what the children of various animals are called while learning also about where they live in the United States. Even though this is classified as a picture book, it has elements of non-fiction in it, as well.
September 2, 2016
Did you know the United States is home to more than 250,000 rivers?? This colorful sing song picture book does a great job telling a little bit about a few of the largest rivers in the United States and what creatures you may find inhabiting them. Little kids will love it and want to sing along to this parady of “Over in a Meadow.”
April 15, 2014
I would say this book is great for 1st and 2nd graders. This book as so many great aspects like educational and fun. Over in the river is a children's book that is about different animals that are from all different rivers around the united states. The book is a poem that teaches them about the rivers/animals. Its very interesting while also being very fun and appealing to young children.
March 10, 2014
This is a really great counting and nature book. It is very interactive and gives a lot of wonderful information about the habitat of various animals along some of the largest North American rivers. The descriptions are written in rhyme form and can even be sung. The music and additional information can be found in the back of the book.
March 31, 2014
This book really has lots to think about and engage with- maps, counting, baby animal names, river wild life, a song with music included, and even a hidden picture on each spread. The excellent informational pages at the end add lots more info about the rivers, animals, what's fiction and fact, and the author and illustrator's tips and experiences.
September 4, 2015
I thought when I pulled up this book that it would yet ANOTHER...OVER THE RIVER...same words...but different picture. I am happy to report that this has its own flavor without being the same old "Over the Meadow" poem!
I love Love LOVE!! The artwork!! I also really like the non-fiction info in the back! Thanks for nice book today...been reading some duds!
I love Love LOVE!! The artwork!! I also really like the non-fiction info in the back! Thanks for nice book today...been reading some duds!
May 22, 2017
I really love the whole "Over in the . . . " series from Marianne Berkes. It's just nice to have a book where mothers direct and children obey and together they have fun and are at peace.
**Talking points - what does you mother and father tell you to do? Do you obey? Do you think your home would be happier and more peaceful if you did?
**Talking points - what does you mother and father tell you to do? Do you obey? Do you think your home would be happier and more peaceful if you did?
September 10, 2018
These 'Over in . . .' books are always delightful, and this one is no exception. They include, of course counting and singing, which are important to the pre-K crowd, but also information about animals, their habitats, and this one includes information about some of the rivers of North America. The illustrations are delightfully colorful and beautiful.
October 21, 2013
This is a great book for small children who love nature and animals,and who are learning to count. It is educational and entertaining. The graphics, details, and pictures are great also.Having a new song in it to teach them is an extra added bonus as well. This is a wonderful childrens book.
February 12, 2014
This book would be great to use to teach children about geography. The students can learn where different rivers in the United States are located and the different types of animals that live in these rivers.
May 28, 2018
Enjoyed the book. A poetic book to teach counting for the pre-K students.
October 2, 2019
Based on the classic Over in the Meadow, this one goes through river animals of North America. Fun with nice illustrations, a great counting, animals, or rivers read aloud.
May 11, 2023
I like that this book has nature and counting and can be sung to a little one. My 2yo really likes that there was a hidden animal to find on every page (although one is really tough to find and another is partly hidden in a page fold--your kid will need your help). She enjoyed counting the baby animals and in general she connects well with books that can be sung out loud.
January 8, 2025
A great book that teaches animals near rivers in the US. Wonderful pictures and suggestions on drawing and hidden animals in each picture. I could use this for a week in my classroom. It even has music!
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December 15, 2021informative story/ intriguing for students with likeness of animals
-animals present with habitat information
-counting for students to be interactive
-animals present with habitat information
-counting for students to be interactive
January 30, 2024
This series is engaging and educational. My kids love them!
October 18, 2024
4.8 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews