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River Parade
On a hot summer day, a little boy and his father set out on a boat ride down the river, carrying a picnic basket and three wooden toys along with them. Reprint.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
21 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra Day
73 books93 followersAlexandra Day, the beloved creator of Good Dog, Carl, is the literary persona of Sandra Louise Woodward Darling—an artist and storyteller devoted to the deep, joyful connection between children and animals. The beloved children's book author, Alexandra Day, is the literary persona of Sandra Louise Woodward Darling, an artist and storyteller passionate about connecting children and animals.
Born in 1941 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Alexandra Day emerged from a creative family where painting was a cherished pastime. Four formative years on a hundred-acre Kentucky farm nurtured her deep connection to animals and literature, fostering the seeds of her future artistic vision.
Day and her husband, Harold Darling, founded Green Tiger Press in 1970, marking the beginning of their publishing adventure. Her breakthrough came in 1985 with Good Dog, Carl, a book inspired by an antique German illustration she discovered in a Zurich bookshop. The story was based on her own Rottweiler, Toby, and featured her granddaughter, Madeleine, as the baby.
Over the past four next three decades, Day has published twenty-four Carl books, selling more than six million copies. The series, featuresing a gentle Rottweiler caring for a baby and their adventures, is a beloved staple of children's literature. Beyond Carl, she also created the Frank and Ernest series, The Teddy Bear’s Picnic, and many other books.
After selling Green Tiger Press in 1986, Day and Harold started Blue Lantern Publishing. In 1993, they moved to Seattle and founded Laughing Elephant Publishing. Following Harold's passing in 2016, Day continues to run the company with her family.
When not painting Carl or working at her publishing company, Day can be found spending time with her grandchildren and tending her garden. Alexandra Day often visits libraries and schools with her dogs, promoting reading and the benefits of therapy animals. Her life's work celebrates the magical bond between children, animals, and storytelling.
Born in 1941 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Alexandra Day emerged from a creative family where painting was a cherished pastime. Four formative years on a hundred-acre Kentucky farm nurtured her deep connection to animals and literature, fostering the seeds of her future artistic vision.
Day and her husband, Harold Darling, founded Green Tiger Press in 1970, marking the beginning of their publishing adventure. Her breakthrough came in 1985 with Good Dog, Carl, a book inspired by an antique German illustration she discovered in a Zurich bookshop. The story was based on her own Rottweiler, Toby, and featured her granddaughter, Madeleine, as the baby.
Over the past four next three decades, Day has published twenty-four Carl books, selling more than six million copies. The series, featuresing a gentle Rottweiler caring for a baby and their adventures, is a beloved staple of children's literature. Beyond Carl, she also created the Frank and Ernest series, The Teddy Bear’s Picnic, and many other books.
After selling Green Tiger Press in 1986, Day and Harold started Blue Lantern Publishing. In 1993, they moved to Seattle and founded Laughing Elephant Publishing. Following Harold's passing in 2016, Day continues to run the company with her family.
When not painting Carl or working at her publishing company, Day can be found spending time with her grandchildren and tending her garden. Alexandra Day often visits libraries and schools with her dogs, promoting reading and the benefits of therapy animals. Her life's work celebrates the magical bond between children, animals, and storytelling.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 22, 2019
I really enjoy the child's view and tone in this story. "One afternoon it was so hot that all I felt like doing was watching the fan." The boys father suggest a boat ride and the boy takes 3 toys. It has the boy getting his father's help with the life jacket. "The river was bigger than I thought it would be." One of his toys falls in, but "he liked it." His dad puts it on a string. The two other toys and the boy follow. 7/24/12
Used for Story Time again. 7/24/12
Used in Baby/Toddler Story Time - Did not work very well as the second book, but used it as the first in my second story time which is a bit quieter and it went over well.
Used for Story Time again. 7/24/12
Used in Baby/Toddler Story Time - Did not work very well as the second book, but used it as the first in my second story time which is a bit quieter and it went over well.
December 9, 2022
My toddler and I both love this book! It’s a sweet little story and the painted illustrations are absolutely beautiful. We have read it over and over.
April 12, 2015
In this simply written children's picture book, the protagonist goes on a boat trip with her father, rowing down a picturesque river with her animal toy friends. The author/illustrator seems to have retold a childhood memory of her own, replete with richly detailed watercolor illustrations.
The book is a nice quick read but somewhat lacking in action and depth.
The book is a nice quick read but somewhat lacking in action and depth.
November 24, 2012
I reread this book today. I was expecting there to be more to the story but it was kind of a boring story. I probably really liked looking at the pictures when I was younger because the watercolor paintings are really cool!
June 23, 2015
I found this book to be really boring and dragged on. The illustrations in this book were beautiful and really carried it.
October 30, 2012
The river is the best river story.
March 30, 2015
Great story, great illustrations, Irish I can frame each page!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews