River

by Elisha Cooper

Caldecott Honor winner Elisha Cooper invites readers to grab their oars and board a canoe down a river exploration filled with adventure and beauty. In Cooper's flowing prose and stunning watercolor scenes, readers can follow a traveler's trek down the Hudson River as she and her canoe explore the wildlife, flora and fauna, and urban landscape at the river's edge. Through perilous weather and river rushes, the canoe and her captain survive and maneuver their way down the river back home. River is an outstanding introduction to seeing the world through the eyes of a young explorer and a great picture book for the STEAM curriculum.Maps and information about the Hudson River and famous landmarks are included in the back of the book.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Adventure, Childrens, Travel, Geography, Environment

42 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2019

Reviews

[Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strong Caldecott contender I think. This river journey encouraged a million questions and I myself was so enthralled that I kept reading long after my kid fell asleep (it’s pretty long, especially if you take time explaining rapids, dams and everything else.

Reminded me of Hello Lighthouse.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beginning at Henderson Lake, in northern New York State's massive Adirondack Park, this lovely new picture-book from author/illustrator Elisha Cooper follows a lone canoeist as she paddles down the mighty Hudson River, traversing the 315 miles to New York City. Along the way she encounters many wonderful creatures, from a moose to a bald eagle, passes towns and cities of various sizes, and must get past rapids, dams and waterfalls. Sketching all the way, the canoeist is alive to the wonder around her, and excited by the adventure. But once she reaches the city and meets up with the friend who crafted her canoe, she heads for the Sandy Hook Lighthouse in New Jersey, and for her home and family...

Although not quite as informative in nature, River reminded me strongly of Holling Clancy Holling's classic Paddle-to-the-Sea , which follows a carved wooden boat on its voyage through the Great Lakes and (eventually) to the ocean. I appreciated this picture-book glimpse of the beauty, majesty and great length of the Hudson, which begins so far away in the wilderness, and ends its own journey at one of the world's largest and most developed cities. The text here is engaging, describing the canoeist's struggles, and the wonders she sees, while the artwork is lovely. Cooper never really focuses in on his human protagonist, keeping her small and indistinct, which I think works for his project, keeping the river at the center of the story. Having recently won a Caldecott Honor for his Big Cat, Little Cat , I would not be at all surprised if Cooper was honored again for this one, which I think has a chance at the medal itself. Recommended to fans of Cooper's art, and for anyone looking for picture-books about rivers in general, the Hudson in particular, or humans going on marvelous adventures.

[Carol Bakker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beauty in this picture book is magnificent. The watercolor illustrations are a feast, and for younger children I imagine they would be enough. The story of a woman solo canoeing three hundred miles of the Hudson River from Henderson Lake to Sandy Hook Lighthouse is engaging but, like the river, long. There are sublime scenes, the hard work of portaging, and clear and present dangers.

Part Huck Finn, part Odyssey, this quest story recalled recent river stories I read: Wind in the Willows, John Wesley Powell's exploration of the Colorado and Green rivers, and a Sand County Almanac.

[Bonnie Frogma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure I've reviewed a book here before, but oh my, I had to say something about this one. I work for Scholastic and got an F&G version after finding out about it through one of our sales reps (I'm in finance, and not high in finance, I don't always hear about books before they come out). Of all the books we've published in my 18 years at the company, I think this one may give me the most personal delight.

I'm an enthusiastic kayaker, and have spent countless hours on the Hudson and New York Harbor. in 2014, I was able to fulfill a long-cherished pipe dream of doing a solo paddle from Waterford to Brooklyn. It was wonderful, one of the best things I've ever done for myself, and the memories are precious - when I imagine myself in my last days someday (hopefully far from now), I imagine myself contentedly sorting through rich memories of the beautiful places I've been in my life. That trip will be among them.

This book absolutely captures the spirit of the Hudson River and New York Harbor. I just get goosebumps every time I read it, and it stirs up all those memories beautifully. I think it would give young people some great paddling dreams - and guess what, it makes me want to go do it again, too.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A journey in a canoe down the Hudson River from Lake Tear in the Clouds to the mouth at the Atlantic. Charming pictures and a lovely story. Recommended by a woman who lives and works on the banks of this incredible river. Lucky me.

[Yaritza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever imagined traveling alone on the Hudson River on a canoe with an adventure awaiting you? A trek through the Hudson River by a single person on a canoe isn't an easy task. The story has a lady traveling on a canoe from one end of the river to another. The illustrations beautifully depict her adventure and dangers that she finds as she travels. The details are very detailed making you feel like you're the traveler. What was lacking about the book was that it didn't tell you all the towns she was traveling as you read. Being able to know the exact locations, will have readers wanting to go to that exact spot to see the beautiful landmarks. At the end of the book they have notes that tell you about areas and the history of the Hudson river. The book also includes a map with all the stops that were in the trek. I believe the story is long and children might have a hard time keeping interest. Someone who loves the great outdoors would love this book and might decide to take an adventure through the Hudson River. This is a great book for any age group.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is called River, and it's certainly about the Hudson River and its sojourn to the sea, but it's also about the main character, an unnamed woman who passes from Henderson Lake to the ocean through the wilderness (the Adirondacks), small hamlets, to larger towns, and finally Manhattan on a trip to observe and sketch nature, test out her handcrafted canoe, and ultimately return to her family near the Sandy Hook lighthouse, where she finally "brings the canoe to shore." It's a beautiful journey, filled with moments both joyful and tense, and author/illustrator and Caldecott Honor Book artist Elisha Cooper does a remarkable job of portraying the river in all its color and strength.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure how my kindergartner would react to this book, with its advanced vocabulary and beautiful, but sometimes sparse watercolor illustrations, but we both hunkered down to adventure with this canoe-er on her 300 mile journey. We loved the "eager otters" and held our breathe when squalls and tugboats threatened her journey. It was a beautiful book and while many are noting it as a 2020 Caldecott contender, I'm not sure it will have the best luck due to its content and the strength of the other picture books this year. No matter, we enjoyed this book quite a bit.

[Connie T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fictional beautiful book about a woman's journey down the Hudson River in a canoe. Soft, flowing text blends nicely with the watercolor illustrations. The reader is introduced to both flora and fauna along the river as the traveler passes farms, woodlands, and city scapes. We are shown how locks work, allowing boats to navigate different heights in the river. New vocabulary terms such as scudding and portage are sprinkled throughout without taking away from the accessibility of the story. The end papers are lovely maps; those in the beginning show the natural world while those in the back show cities and mark spots where the traveler stopped or noticed something. Author's notes add even more detail about the history of the river. This is a wonderful book!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember Holling Clancy Holling's wonderful book, Minn of the Mississippi? Cooper's story of a lone canoeist making the journey from the headwaters of the Hudson to the Brooklyn Navy Yards reminded me of that childhood favorite. Limpidly clear watercolors and a simple narrative make this tale flow along , while tiny details in the margins make for amusing stops.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A picture book about a woman on a solo canoe trip down the Hudson River. Quiet, meditative, and very, very cool. The only thing that would have made me enjoy this more, is if there had been a dog, or two, traveling with her.

[DaNae · Rating 4 out of 5]

A travelogue, both gentle and nail-biting.

[Mary Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

One woman canoes the length of the Hudson River. Gorgeous illustrations.

[Donovan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmm. strong concept. Interesting approach.

Sloppy writing. Even sloppier illustrations. Terrible editing. I have no doubt that Elisha Cooper could have done better. This book simply needed more work. It doesn't present as a good picture book for kids, though the bones of it are there. It meanders, like a river, and some details are....neat, but it's not the least bit cohesive.

Side note. It has been encouraging to see the industry embrace art that is more free and loose. However, context is always key, and in this instance it looked as though the editor reviewed the initial sketches that were turned in (which included scribbled notes about what color to paint in later) and said to themselves "this is fine. this person's name is attached to a Caldecott Honor. It'll be fine."

The concept deserves further development.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A woman sets out alone on a canoe voyage. "Can she do it?"

This gorgeous book chronicles the trip, the challenges, the pleasures, the sights and the strength required. The reassuring answer, "she knows what she is doing," flows through the story like the majestic Hudson River itself.

Both the text and the beautiful watercolor illustrations are wonderfully done, engaging readers in both the small details of the journey and the larger experience of the overall experience. While the book is oversized, I think it works best as a lap book.

A map of the journey is included as endpapers and an Author's note, more information on the Hudson River and a Source Reading list make up the back matter.

This book is truly special.

[Bkrieth · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are not enough stars for me to award this beautiful book. The breathtaking images of water, landscape, and wildlife are wrapped in a palette I want to live in. The reader is completely drawn into the solo canoer's journey, admiring her strength and persistence, curious about each new challenge and experience. Cooper's language is as descriptive and emotive as his paintings, and I was moved to tears at the finale of this adventurous woman's journey. Do not skip the author's note and take time to study the end paper maps. I happily lost a good 30-40 minutes immersed in this book and cannot wait to share it with students. F&G copy reviewed.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

River by Elisha Cooper. PICTURE BOOK. Orchard Books (Scholastic), OCTOBER 2019. $19. 9781338312263

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A woman starts at the head of the Hudson River in her canoe for the long journey all the way to her family in New York City.

I love Cooper’s lush drawings – they are evocative and iconic. Any of them would make an art gallery worthy painting. This time, however, Cooper seems so enamored of the topic that the details of the journey weighs down the story.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The days blend together. Paddling, sketching, eating, camping, paddling again.”

A lone traveller, paddling a canoe, makes her way down the Hudson River toward New York City. We see the sights and hear the sounds and smell the odors of her voyage. We see her persistence as she works through blisters, capsizing, portaging, and being completely alone.

Includes a detailed note in the back about the Hudson River.

[Jarrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adventure is waiting for you. Hop in the canoe and travel down the Hudson River as you encounter wildlife, beautiful vistas, and some dramatic moments. Stunning visuals and some literal twists and turns will engage readers of all ages

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A woman makes a solo canoe trip the length of the Hudson River. Her story is recorded in text and pictures. The adventure, danger and freedom come through.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this picture book might not appeal to every reader with its slow pace, I was impressed with the text and the illustrations, created in soft watercolors and with incredible details. There are certainly many youngsters and adults who will read it and dream of doing just what the protagonist does, especially since the author keeps her nameless and doesn't reveal her purpose for the journey other than perhaps to test herself and get immersed in nature. The paintings on some pages are surrounded by ample white space while on others, including some double-page spreads, they fill the pages with blues, greens, and grays as a woman sets off on a 20-day journey down the Hudson River to her home near the Sandy Hook Lighthouse and the mouth of the Hudson, which spills into the Atlantic Ocean. She is well-prepared for the journey with a tent, food, and a sketchpad. Along the way, she encounters a moose, a bear cub, rapids, a waterfall, a dam, and treacherous weather. The scenes that depict her journey are stunning as is the one in which she heads into the city with its enormous buildings on either side of the river, but the perspective is from a gull swooping above her and her tiny canoe, almost a speck on the water. Once she returns home, she shares her adventures with her family as seen in the last image. The author has included a note about the research he completed in preparation for writing and drawing this book. Back matter also includes information about the Hudson River and additional reading. Although I'd never have the courage or stamina to attempt such a journey, I felt inspired after reading this book. It's important to test our limits and to get away from cluttered, noisy lives at times. I also couldn't help but remark on how she occasionally faced unexpected challenges and sometimes found help along the way. Still, this is one resilient and determined woman who found solace in being alone, floating down the river, and not speaking for days at a time.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explore the Hudson River alongside an intrepid canoer in this picture book. The book takes readers from a mountain lake on a journey of 300 miles to where the Hudson meets the Atlantic. The woman meets moose, otters, a bear cub, ducks and more on her journey. She faces rapids and sometimes has to drag her canoe in shallow waters or portage it across a dam. She uses a lock to get past a waterfall. She stops at times to restock her supplies at towns along the river. She paddles for days and days, sleeping in a tent at night. She faces a storm and has her boat overturned, but she eventually reaches New York City and her home.

There is something so invigorating and inspiring about this glimpse of someone making a journey of a lifetime. At the same time, this is a quiet book, one that inspires thinking, drawing and taking time for one’s self. It’s a lovely balance of a book, and thanks to Cooper’s unique style it is told in a way that honors the woman’s courage and skill and yet makes it all less daunting to imagine doing. It’s just what we want picture books to do for children.

Cooper’s art really shines here, reading more like a journal at times with scenes just barely captured before they changed. Other pages which feature the landscape and vistas along the way are spectacularly done whether in broad daylight or filled with stars at night.

A journey worth taking again and again. Appropriate for ages 5-8.

[Rachel Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a former environmental science teacher and lover of informational books for children, this one was high on my list and did not disappoint. I loved the layout of the text; sometimes in full-page spreads, and other times in smaller image sequences; alternating between the calm and turbulent stretches of the Hudson River. The watercolor was a perfect medium to represent the flow and movement of the water and the journey that our main character takes as she travels from the headwaters of the Hudson 300+ miles to the confluence of the East River, into the New York Harbor and finally to the Atlantic Ocean. Decent back matter on the historical, artistic, and personal significance of this journey
and ecosystem, including the indigenous tribes native to the area as well as the artists that, like Cooper, were inspired to paint the river.

The length and vocabulary lend themselves to be best enjoyed by upper elementary school students, and I can see utilizing this text within a classroom setting, especially in a science unit. It would be a great compliment to a "Picture-Perfect Science" (NSTA Press book series) lesson where an educator could explain some of the more domain-specific vocabulary of river ecosystems (and possibly take a field trip)!

This book brought back great memories of my own personal lifetime lived on or a near a river system! 4.5/5

[Judy Lindow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for the Mock Caldecott 2020. I loved this story. It's about a woman taking a journey alone down a beautiful river. In River there's nature, adventure, solitude, but mostly beauty. At core it's about that giddy experience most of us get when we make a journey - when we become discoverers. The illustrations are luscious. There is a nice variation between ones that fill 2 pages and little to mid sized ones that give the story a nice flow. The ones with the boat on the yawning river, the forest on both sides and roiling sky will hold your gaze.

I was surprised to learn Cooper was the same author who authored Big Cat, Little Cat which I hadn't liked much. That just shows that sometimes liking an author is more about timing, maybe the reading level, genre, or subject that a person/child enjoys more or less. I was also surprised the author was male as I really identified with the experience with the female main character - her sketch book and solo experience.

Cooper uses intelligent vocabulary connected to making this kind of trek, the book opens and closes with a map - always useful - and there is a nice history at the end of the story that can be used to extend the story. I would enjoy reading River or having it the library through all elementary grades.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine an adventure where one travels a river, from its mountainous beginnings, to see and experience what one can do, can see. This is the travel on the great Hudson River, all the way to New York Harbor, to the incoming Atlantic Ocean. This traveler, a young woman, faces rapids and dams, is helped by locks and a few people on the shore. She stops to pick blackberries until a young bear cub arrives, then scurries into the canoe again. She camps out, and Elisha Cooper describes my favorite line: "The moon climbs up among the stars. She is alone, but not. The river stays beside her, mumbling to her and to itself all through the night". Cooper captures the idea of being small in such an adventure but shows the beauty seen when one opts to take it on. Cooper adds a note to tell how he did his research, admitting he would not be strong enough for this trip, but someone could. And he adds a page of the Hudson River's history, too. It's a lovely book to read together, to talk about how it might be to do.

[Stacy Renee (LazyDayLit) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come journey along on a river adventure!

This gorgeously illustrated and descriptive picture book chronicles one woman's solo canoe trip down the Hudson River, all the way to New York City Harbor. It is a long trip that will take many days and nights and has many ups and downs. The narrator tells us what the woman has brought with her, what she sees on her journey, and the ins and outs of traveling such a long distance down a river.

This is an informative read with lengthy but beautifully descriptive prose that we found to be quite calming. The illustrations capture the beauty of the mountains, forests, towns, and cities she sees along her journey.

If you've ever wanted to know what a long canoe trip downriver was like, this is the book to read! It's perfect for outdoorsy types or anyone who prefers an adventure from home, especially during these uncertain times!


This review was originally shared on my blog, Lazy Day Literature.

[Candance Doerr-Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picturebook tells the story of a woman who canoes the Hudson River by herself, starting at Henderson Lake in upstate New York and finishes her journey at the Sandy Hook lighthouse just south of the NYC harbor. The river is presented as both a fierce force separated from civilization, and a changing landscape teeming with diverse life forms: bugs, birds, animals, and fish.

"The river winds through the forest. New life appears
around each bend: otters, ducks, dragonflies, a kingfisher.
As she sketches, she wonders what word would best
describe each animal. Eager otter?"

This book makes me think of the short documentary, Waters Flow Together (2020 - Emergence Magazine)
This 11 minute documentary follows the experience of Colleen Cooley, a Diné river guide, as she paddles down the San Juan River. Cooley reflects on the importance and responsibility we have to treat water with reverence and care. “It’s not just a playground. It’s healing land, and I hope others can feel that as well.”


Used: MKE Public Library

[Kelly]

One of my favorite parts of this book is how the endpapers change from before the book and after. First it is the untraveled river. At the end, you see where the canoer may have come across different things on her path. This is one of those books that's nonfiction in some sense but also definitely has its fiction. Under the jacket we see many of the things the canoer would have seen. Rare, but I actually like the jacket more than what's under it.
There's always so much to look at with an Elisha Cooper book. He does a good job or making the text and the pictures distinct so you see different things in the pictures than are mentioned in the text. My main picture complaint is that the sky seems to always be white or the same shade of blue. Ok, the night sky is different.

Um, if you've read Ruthless River, this is like the equivalent but as a picture book version.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect size for colorful drawings of a canoe trip down the Hudson River from the headwaters to Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York City Harbor, and Sandy Hook Lighthouse. Highlights various encounters along the way giving readers a sense of the entire expanse. We can also imagine what it might be like to travel alone in those conditions.
Beautiful maps on endpapers that are NOT obliterated by a dust cover. Thank you, Orchard Books! Although photos and sketches not mentioned in the book (yet in an interview) are on the actual cover. Very intriguing. I'd have appreciated them inside the book. The planning and return illustrations of the family's home nicely flank the story.
Includes extensive note on Hudson River and sources & reading.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lone woman loads her canoe and sets off from a lake high in the Adirondack mountains to paddle down the Hudson to the ocean.

It's been a long time since I read a book about traveling by canoe. This brings to life the joys, the quiet, the challenges, the sights and sounds of propelling yourself over the water. I'm guessing most kids will have never experienced anything like this and the book may spark a desire to canoe or at least spend time in the quiet beauty of nature. The author did an impressive amount of research to make the trip accurate. The illustrations are beautiful and you are totally justified picking this up to look at them alone. This is a longer picture book so make sure you have time when you sit down to read this.