Song of the River
Age 3+
Picture Storybooks Picture Books: Character Books
In this quintessential Joy Cowley story, Cam follows the river’s journey from its source in the mountains all the way to the sea
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.
Creators
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 illustrated Explore Aotearoa, shortlisted for the New Zealand children’s book award in 2018, and her first book both authored and illustrated, Puffin the Architect, was released in 2018. She lives in Wellington.
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.
Kirkus Reviews
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.
Publisher's Weekly
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.
Magpies Magazine
