Where the River Begins

Where the River Begins is all about the adventures that a grandfather and his two grandchildren that go hiking and exploring at the river near their house. I liked how this book gave the reader a sense of adventure, and you could tell that the river was very important to the characters. It's also a very relatable stories as many children have special things they do with their grandparents. I also really loved the beautiful illustrations, they were incredibly detailed and realistic.

Ages: 4 and up
Source: Pierce College library

Locker instills a sense of wonder about the everyday natural features of our lives in this quick and beautifully illustrated work. As an adult I do take a small issue with the fact that at the source, the river “trickled into a still pond”. This can happen as rivers are in the driest season, but it’d generally be more to the story’s narrative if in fact the river were flowing out of the small pond. Also, having done this to some degree myself, there is little mention of all the tributaries that would usually flow into a river as pictured. The narrative could have informed more had the venturers had to decide on a route and if grandpa had some sage words about choices or different paths... Interestingly Locker is both author and show more illustrator in this work. Unsurprisingly his artwork is of the Hudson River School of painting. I have to wonder if indeed Mr. Locker ever made such a trip himself.. surely tributaries (differently named rivers) would have figured into the narrative. Artistically exemplary, Literally decent, Naturally encouraging, Scientifically oversimplified..: show less

This book can be read as a simple tale of a grandfather and his two grandsons having an adventure together, or be read for a deeper meaning; the river being an analogy for one's life, flowing toward an inevitable end, and how it is good to go back and look at where you came from. Either way, it is a lovely compelling read.

Two boys go on a camping trip with their grandfather and learns about the river and nature all around. Great for 4 year olds with the fun and interesting subject.

This book shows a family of two brothers who went on a hiking camping trip with their grandfather. The book shows how the two boys were able to pick up on many tips that they learned from their grandfather and demonstrates how to overcome difficult natural obstacles.

The captivating illustrations of Thomas Locker take us on an adventure of two boys and their grandfather as they explore nature and search for where the river begins. This book connects to children to nature and highlights the adventures and bonds of children and their grandfathers.

Ages: 4-8
Source: Personal Collection

In the book “Where the River Begins,” two boys, Josh and Aaron, love to watch the river flow gently past their house. Together they make up stories about the river, and begin to wonder where the river begins. One day the boys and their grandfather set out to find the answer, and together they explore the moods of nature and the bonds of a man and his grandsons. In social-moral development this books allows the children to view a situation from more than one perspective and see the viewpoint of another person. It also allows the children to work together in group activities. The illustrations for this book are whimsical and realistic and allow the children to relate to the characters being presented. This book is suitable for show more children ages 5-8.
This book was found in the Pierce County Library System. show less