Song of the River

In this resonant story from Joy Cowley, Cam the mountain boy follows the river from its trickling source in the snow all the way to the sea. The river leads him through forest, farms and towns to the salty wind of the sea. The dramatic landscapes are packed with detail to discover in the world of the river.

“"A curious mountain boy follows a trickle of water all the way to the sea. Young Cam tells his grandfather that he wishes he could see the sea. 'One day we will go there,' is the reply. One spring morning, Cam notices a rivulet trickling through the pine woods. 'Come with me,' the trickle sings to him. 'I will take you to the sea.' Cam follows the trickle, which joins a creek and runs down the mountainside. The creek meets a stream, where trout leap and beckon Cam. The stream becomes a river that flows through farms with ducks and cows and dogs and then a town. Frogs in the river encourage Cam to continue his journey. The river widens, full of ships big and small. The river sings to Cam, who runs past some wharves and onto the sand dunes. He has reached the sea! It's 'wild and blue and beautiful...and it [goes] on forever,' and it sings the grandest song of all. Back home that night, Cam tells his grandfather about his adventure, and grandfather again replies, 'One day we will go there'--leaving readers to wonder whether Cam's adventure was real or imaginary. Regardless, Cowley neatly modulates Cam's adventure, sentences that build and accrete like that rivulet taking readers on the journey. Andrews' diverse landscapes are solidly composed, shifting angles but maintaining an earthy, muted palette. A lovely homage to nature.'--Kirkus Reviews”

"Cowley neatly modulates Cam’s adventure, sentences that build and accrete like that rivulet taking readers on the journey. A lovely homage to nature."

"With graceful, rhyming poetry, Cowley articulates the connectedness of nature, while Andrews renders the rush and earnestness of the boy’s journey through striated light, city smoke, and the broad, blue sea."

"It’s exuberant and joyful, reflected in the warm and textured illustrations which capture the natural environment and the movement of the water. An absolute treasure and brilliant read-aloud."

Joy Cowley is one of New Zealand’s best-loved writers for children and adults, with an international reputation. She has won a multitude of awards and honours for her bestselling books, including the Prime Ministers Award for contribution to literature. She was shortlisted for the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2018.

Kimberly Andrews is a trained biologist and geologist who grew up in the Canadian Rockies and has lived and worked in Borneo, the UK and New Zealand. She is an award-winning author and illustrator who lives in Wellington.

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