The Secret River

I have mixed feelings about this reprint. My family has enjoyed the 1955 version until the pages became tattered and we were forced to get a new copy.

1) Text: It's missing a lot of text!!! I suppose since Rawlings didn't publish it in her lifetime any editor would feel justified in saying the edits were necessary. Now the story is missing some of the interactions of the wildlife, which might be fine for city folk, but not for people who are actually observant (and reliant on such observations) of the natural world. I guess the publisher wanted to limit the number of pages, but it could have been done better by having less white space on the pages.

2) Illustrations: The colorful illustrations with a wide variety of patterns is engaging. I show more love the way tree bark looks like faces, and how Calpurnia's head is filled with the birds bees or flowers she is imagining. Calpurnia is more obviously a person of color. But. The original illustrations (monochromatic) more accurately portrayed an impoverished community. New version: Calpurnia is wearing shoes (except for when she is stepping in the river)!?! That looks so fake. Anyone who enjoys wandering the woods would also love being barefoot. Did the artist have problems drawing toes? And the scene in the fish market of shoppers "who haven't had anything to eat for weeks" shows an assortment that might be found in a large city store, complete with hats and high heels. I do love the interpretation of Mother Albirtha as an herbalist/palm reader. show less

A lyrical story told in the voice a young girl, Calpurnia, who searches for a river in which to fish so "hard times will be soft times" for the people of the forest. The rhythm, connection to nature, and intelligence remind me of Opal. There was no attempt to make the poems any better than a child could write, which should inspire young writers to try also.

Calpurnia is a Black girl living with her parents in Florida. Hard times have come the area as the fish everyone relies upon as a cheap food source have disappeared. Determined to help out, Calpurnia consults with a local wise woman and sets off in search of the mythical secret river filled with fish that the woman describes. Everything unfolds like a folk tale, with a dark forest and dangerous animals adding excitement to the quest.

Be aware that the 2011 picture book I read -- beautifully illustrated by Leo and and Diane Dillon -- uses abridged text. The very first sentence omits the word "green" for no reason. The rest of the first paragraph is missing several sentences. An early scene from the original book showing Calpurnia climbing show more a ladder to get pink paper out of the attic is gone. More omissions of words and sentences continue throughout, culminating in the last two pages of the original story being eliminated entirely. If you want the full story, seek out the 1955 edition illustrated by Leonard Weisgard. show less

Beautiful illustrations! I wasn't even that interested in reading the story, but the artwork was so intriguing, I had to read it. Then the story captured me which led me back to the images. What more could you ask for in a picture book? My first favorite book of 2011!

I didn't realize this was a re-issue till I read the flaps. The illustrations are lovely, dreamy but realistic. The story is simple, with fantastical elements, but it feels very true to place- one of Rawlings' hallmarks. I'd never heard of this before, and am happy to have discovered it in a shiny new edition.

Another Vintage Book Circle pick. I found surprising depth in this slender volume. I'm glad that it has been reissued with the Dillon illustrations. I hope it will find a new audience with this new edition.

The story is not especially gripping, but the Dillons did a superb job on parts of the story. The owl with patterned feathering and each page with fish are particularly excellent.