Along the River

Starred review from February 13, 2017
Argentinian artist Starkoff’s book is set in the tropics: colorful boats crowd a river, sailing across the spreads. The water is golden, the color of sunlight, and the book’s low, wide proportions underscore the sense of a slow, steady journey by water. “Everyone travels along the river,” writes Starkoff, “by ship or boat or canoe.” Vivid acrylic paintings show people living and working on the boats. Most have dark skin, and they’re dressed in brilliant colors. One woman lives on a houseboat covered with cacti, a man pilots a floating kitchen, a barge carries musicians, and another man dozes next to a pile of watermelons. The hand-lettered names of the boats (My Heart; Thanks, Dad) will make readers grin. Starkoff’s message about piloting through life—“You will have to discover... your own way and your own rhythm... while never letting go of your dreams”—takes on rich resonance when paired with the vision of life on the river, as people and boats of all shapes and sizes are carried along on the same current. Starkoff celebrates elemental human values: community, music, simple talk, food, and contentment. Ages 4–up.

Starred review from February 15, 2017
A visual metaphor for life's journey presents a sunny, hopeful vision of both self-determination and community in this Brazilian import.While some readers may encounter it as a straightforward picture-book depiction of many people floating along a river in a variety of boats and other watercraft, there's ample potential for reading symbolic meaning into words and pictures. Simple phrases are juxtaposed with the vibrant acrylic illustrations (finished digitally) that show everyone traveling left to right with the page turns on calm waters that are the intense yellow of the sun. Boats, clothing, and other items are rendered in bright colors associated with the Caribbean, and most of the people have brown skin, with some sporting dreadlocks, others wearing head wraps, and still others with full, round Afro hairstyles. In an unusual choice for a picture book, most of the people are adults. Scattered environmental text painted on the boats ("Beautiful Smile"; "Everything is good here"; "I am happy") reads like affirmations, while the main text provides gentle advice about living a good life: "You will have to search for... // ...your own way / and your own rhythm... // ...while continuing to steer your course." This would make a refreshing alternative to Oh, the Places You'll Go as a perennial gift to graduates. A feel-good journey of a picture book. (Picture book. 4-adult)

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April 1, 2017
K-Gr 3-Life on a river is an adventure; that's the message of this playful picture book from Brazil. -You'll have to discover your own way and your own rhythm while continuing to steer your course.- Starkoff's minimal text and vibrant folk-style acrylic illustrations create a jovial feeling through thick lines and large splashes of color. Food, music, laughter, and fun prevail with a bright yellow background and spreads depicting the numerous vessels that travel down the river. Although the text is short and simple, the words are measured and flow like poetry. There is also signage on the boats that allows for additional reading. Overall, this feels inviting and provides a soothing read, although it lacks real depth or distinction. VERDICT A narrative with a good flow and strong illustrations that will draw young children in for a quick read or art prompt. A solid purchase for most collections.-Megan Egbert, Meridian Library District, ID

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2017
Preschool-G A joyful trip in an undesignated country uses the theme of everyone travels down the river to show the exuberance of water transport. The horizontal trim size is perfect for the boats' forward motion, as each page reveals yet another type of vessel: houseboats, cruisers, cargo ships, canoes, dinghies, and sailboats, all peopled with smiling, brown-skinned families. Each boat has a theme: Beautiful Smile sells flowers, Happiness School is packed with waving children, a surfboarder holds a smiling bikini-clad passenger, a musical boat contains an active rhythmic band. A restaurant boat ferries loving couples dining, and a long dugout carries ripe watermelons. Each vessel shares with the next, producing happiness and smiles all around through all four seasons as they continue downward to the sea, followed by a bevy of swans and a trailing bale of turtles. The acrylic digitized artwork uses vibrant colors; reds, greens, and blues pop against bright and sunny backgrounds. The journey ends delightfully when the endpapers announce that everything is good here and I am happy. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)