Το ποτάμι

by Tom Percival, Φίλιππος Μανδηλαράς (Translator)

ΟΡόουαν λατρεύει το ποτάμι. Κάποιες μέρες είναι ήσυχο και ήρεμο, ενώ κάποιες άλλες ζωηρό και παιχνιδιάρικο. Υπάρχουν και οι φορές, όμως, που είναι άγριο και θυμωμένο. Ο χειμώνας που θα έρθει θα είναι δύσκολος για τον Ρόουαν, το ποτάμι παγώνει -όπως ακριβώς και ο ίδιος. Μπορεί να βρει έναν τρόπο να απελευθερώσει τα παγωμένα του συναισθήματα και να επιτρέψει στο ποτάμι να ρέει ελεύθερα και πάλι;

Ένα πρωτότυπο βιβλίο που θα βοηθήσει τα παιδιά να κατανοήσουν την ιδέα των διαρκώς μεταβαλλόμενων συναισθημάτων, από τον βραβευμένο δημιουργό των βιβλίων «Η Θάλασσα είδε» (Ίκαρος, 2019) και «Η Αόρατη» (Ίκαρος, 2021).

Genres: Picture Books, Emotion, Childrens, Grief

32 pages, Paperback

Published February 7, 2022

About the author

Tom Percival writes and illustrates picture books (you know, for kids) as well as illustrating books written by other people. The most well known of these is probably the excellent Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy.

He grew up in a remote and beautiful part of South Shropshire. On reflection this seemed rather more remote than beautiful, owing to the fact that he lived in a small caravan without electricity, mains water or any sensible form of heating. He thinks that he’s probably one of the few people in his peer group to have learnt to read by gas lamp.
Surprisingly enough he has never been called ‘hippy’ (to the best of his knowledge)

Tom now lives in an actual house with his girlfriend and their two young sons.
His favourite colour is turquoise and his favourite number is usually seven.

Tom has three picture books available, Tobias and the Super Spooky Ghost Book, A Home for Mr Tipps, Jack's AMAZING Shadow and a fourth, Herman's Letter will be publishing in October 2012 through Bloomsbury

Reviews

[Despoina Paschalidou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Γεμάτο νοήματα! Με λίγα λόγια και πολύ συναίσθημα, ο συγγραφέας και εικονογράφος Tom Percival δημιούργησε μία ιστορία για όλα τα παιδιά (μικρά & μεγάλα).

[Mairéad · Rating 5 out of 5]

With beautiful, watercolour-esq illustrations full of realistic details that make you want to reread the book time and again, The River by Tom Percival would be a wonderful addition to any primary teacher's library. Addressing the topic of grief (loss of a pet) and using the changing nature of a river as a metaphor for the many different emotions experienced by the little boy in the story, this picture book is suitable for children of all ages (5+). An excellent resource for exploring rich descriptive language, this book could easily be used as a starting point for lessons on river habitats, as an introduction to discussing how people cope with tragedy in their lives and much more. I can definitely see myself using this book in many different ways in my classroom.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children’s UK for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

A beautiful read that soothes the soul. I love how parallels are drawn between the river and one’s emotions. Breathtaking illustrations too.

[Rosana Maia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compramos este livro pela capa, num impulso, sem sequer ler o interior antes de o trazer para casa:). Se calhar não devíamos fazer sempre isso, mas posso dizer que desta vez correu bem!

Se a capa já era bonita, o interior não lhe fica nada atrás; quer no que diz respeito às ilustrações, quer no que diz respeito à mensagem que transmite! E, apesar de o Tomás ser ainda muito pequenino, ouviu-me três vezes a ler esta história hoje :) e acompanhou à sua maneira as ilustrações.

Depois desta leitura fiquei com vontade de adquirir os restantes livros publicados pela Jacarandá de Tom Percival. O que mais dizer? Trata-se de um livro com ilustrações maravilhosas, mensagem muito bonita e, acima de tudo, essencial para os pequenos leitores que um dia se tornarão grandes.


https://bloguinhasparadise.blogspot.c...

[João Teixeira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esta história é uma alegoria sobre a projecção que o ser humano faz do seu estado de espírito na natureza que o rodeia. Após um acontecimento que deixa o protagonista triste (que não está escrito em lado nenhum, mas que obviamente o leitor percebe através da ilustrações), o seu processo de recuperação dá-se com o próprio processo de regeneração do ambiente que o rodeia.
Bonita história e bonita alegoria.

[Kerry Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Tom Percival hits his reader with the most beautiful theme, words and illustrations. I had a lump in my throat from the start of this story. Such a wonderfully written book, that I will be using with my children to help with their feelings. Gorgeous.

[cjfriess · Rating 5 out of 5]

The River is a heartwarming, poignant story of hope and healing which uses beautiful imagery to help children deal with grief.

We're huge fans of Tom Percival's picture books and his stunning illustrations combined with a simple lyrical text will give comfort to young readers who may be coming to terms with loss. It's an emotive story about friendship, grief, healing and kindness.

Rowan is a kind, sensitive boy who loves being outdoors but his rural childhood is disrupted by the loss of his pet and his inability to deal with his grief. The river is a character in its own right and provides a metaphor for Rowan's emotions. It isn't the same each day - sometimes it's calm. Or playful. Or angry. But as Rowan comes to terms with his loss he realises that, just like the river, his own emotions are ever changing.

We love Tom's stunning illustrations which take us through each season as nature and the rescue of a wild bird help Rowan start to heal. Both the text and the images offer reassurance that just like the river, our emotions constantly change.

[Louise (Bookmarks and Stages blog) Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The River provides a great story that has a unique way of showing different emotions. It uses the river and the main character - Rowan to convey them. Follow Rowan along the river and through the different seasons. It shows the path and behaviours of the river, such as freezing over winter, before becoming free again in the summer. The illustrations are beautiful and carry the story along very well, in a quiet, engaging manner.
The story conveys the message that the river is always changing, it can be angry and it can be calm and humans, such as Rowan also change in their moods too. The river is a clever tool in this story to illustrate that children have many emotions and that is also shown through Rowan.

It's a bright, thought-provoking story that is short and sweet, pitched perfectly at young children from at least nursery into primary school. It would also be great for libraries and homes. It's one that I highly recommend and can be used as a great story and discussion.

[Theediscerning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever and told with great simplicity, this little read is about a lad called Rowan, and the river that flows past his home. He and it have the same kind of temperament – but one bad winter Rowan and the river both freeze up – and they stay like that for months. The very fact they actually share their nature, in this circumstance, is quite a magical thing for a young reader to consider, and the book actually manages to be about mental health issues, and self-help messages, without ever seeming to be anything other than a story about a boy, a waterway and – well, that would be telling. Visually, the artwork is stunning when allowed to use the full double-page spread format, but even when reduced to smaller cameos it is still quite marvellous. Rowan cannot see the way to turn the corner out of his bad patch; I cannot see a book like this being done better.

[Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un album à couverture souple à travers lequel la rivière est utilisée comme métaphore afin de représenter la fluctuation des émotions. Le cours d'eau agit comme fil conducteur ici et change au rythme des saisons. L'histoire est mise en images à travers les peintures d'une nature omniprésente qui rappelle les oeuvres impressionnistes: lumineuses, où les couleurs claires prédominent. La compréhension de l'histoire passe beaucoup par la finesse des illustrations, auxquelles il faut prêter attention. (...) [SDM]

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The latest book release from the wonderfully talented Tom Percival blew me away when I read the eARC copy from NetGalley.

I adore Tom’s books and this one is something very special. It deals with the loss of a pet in the most delicate way.

It lets children know it’s ok to have different feelings and uses the analogy of the river to mirror the boys emotions and show that how we feel changes, ebbing and flowing like the water.

[Tamsin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely illustrated story about a boy struggling to mange his emotions. How he feels translates into how the river in his town behaves and the pictures and words show how he and it changes over time.

Would be a fantastic book to use to explore how our feelings change and how our behaviour can impact on those around us. Lots to explore in the pictures and lots to discuss together. Definitely one to add to the school library shelves!

[Auro Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of The River in exchange of my honest opinion.

I have now read a few Tom Percival books and he keeps surprising me.

In The River, Rowan is about to learn that change is the only constant. That things never stay the same but that those changes can be good and bring joy in some other ways.

As always, the illustrations were amazing! Bright and stunning

[Jasmine - The Librarian's Bookcase · Rating 5 out of 5]

You wouldn't think that a picture book would move me so much, but in those short pages a flurry of emotions. It deals with grief in terms that a very young child could understand. Using the metaphor of a river, I think this book should be used to help children cope with grief and coming to terms with it

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Um livro muito fofo sobre as emoções, como elas podem mudar e como mudamos com elas. ❤️

A metáfora do rio torna a mensagem muito simples e de fácil compreensão.

“… o Ricardo acabou por compreender que podia ser como o rio. Ligeiro e feliz. Lento e triste. Zangado e rebelde. Entre muitas outras emoções. Mas uma coisa era certa: o rio estava sempre a mudar. Tal como ele.”

[Bex mummyisreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book about loss, grief and a child’s emotions. Jake and Loved this and I have no doubt this will be a new classic.

Full review on my blog: https://mummyisreadingbooks.wordpress...

[Shatiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libro dedicato a come un bambino affronterà la morte del suo adorato cane. Come sempre i libri di Percival sono delicati nell'affrontare temi difficili e questo non è da meno.
Si soffre tanto, ma per fortuna prima o poi c'è la speranza di superare quel brutto momento.

[Lucy Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to is book in my PSHE teaching on loss and grief. The River serves as an excellent metaphor for how one can feel in the wake of a loss and helped the children understand what we were discussing. Again it’s handled thoughtfully and illustrated beautifully as Percival’s work always is.

[Aitzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 (+6 años) Con la metáfora del rio, en esta ocasión Tom Percival nos habla de las perdidas, los cambios y las emociones. Nos navega a permitirnos sentir diferentes emociones y a darles valor.
Este autor es genial!

[Louise Gooding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely picture book that compares the Rowans feelings to the fluidity and movement of the river. Very clever. Love Tom Percival’s work!

[Mary Stergioti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Νομίζω δεν μπορώ να είμαι αντικειμενική με τον Percival. Απλά αγαπω τα θεματα που πραγματευεται, την απλη γραφή του και ιδιαίτερα την εικονογράφηση στα βιβλία του!

[Dactylaura · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️ ça va pas de jouer avec mes émotions comme ça non mais oh 🥺🥺

[Anna Baboura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Πόσο βαθειά συγκινητικό!! Πόσο υπέροχη εικονογράφηση 🩵🤍🩵🤍

[Muhammad Edwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautiful. Life and emotions are like a river, always changing.

"Happy and light, slow and sad, wild and angry, and everything in between."

[Kirsten Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.
Need I say anymore?
It's Tom Percival . His picturebooks deal with emotions perfectly.
A must buy for every primary classroom!

[Orca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Se il pensiero del fiume (con tutte le sue implicazioni metaforiche) orienta la tua vita, non cambi: per esistere, evita di romperti la testa e lascialo scorrere.

[Lauren Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous story.