They Call Me River

March 15, 2021
A river is born and carried along, from source to sea, where the cycle will begin again. Striking painted-and-collaged artwork depicts the long journey as the river itself narrates its story, beginning as rain high above in the mountains. Then it tumbles along over stones, through towns, getting ever bigger, "testing [its] boundaries," merging with other rivers, encountering obstacles and quiet places, until eventually it "meet[s] the great ocean" and "become[s] one" with it. "And then, drop by drop, / I return to the sky. / And I begin again...." Children will quickly notice that though it's not mentioned in the text, another parallel and similar story is taking place alongside the river's story in the illustrations. Beginning at the foot of the mountain where the river begins, a human life is also starting. First depicted as a White-presenting babe in arms, the child is seen growing, testing boundaries with a thrilling leap into the river, in due course getting married, encountering obstacles and places of respite, until eventually, just as the river remarks, "There is more of me behind than ahead." This now-aged adult is last seen in a tiny boat with sea life teeming beneath. "I'm grateful. I let go." In his debut as an author, Albrecht, an award-winning producer of animated films for children, presents a gentle and approachable view on life and mortality. An affecting metaphor for the cycle of life. (Picture book. 5-8)

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