River of Words: Young Poets and Artists on the Nature of Things [Paperback]

Pamela Michael (Editor), Robert Hass (Introduction)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

The California-based River of Words (ROW) has gained fame as an important nonprofit that trains teachers, park naturalists, grassroots groups, and others to incorporate observation-based nature exploration and the arts into young people’s lives. One of the group’s most important annual projects is to take the youth pulse from the United States and 22 other countries, by asking for writing on water and nature. This anthology collects the best of that writing, with accompanying artwork. Divided into nine geographical areas (California, Pacific Northwest, Inland West, Midwest, Southwest, Northwest, Mid Atlantic, South, and International), the book presents writers from ages six to 18. In poems such as “I Love My Dog,” “Seasons in Our Watershed,” “History of a Cornfield,” and “Swamp Shack,” River of Words exhibits diverse voices, as well as some bilingual poems. A remarkable confluence of K-12 curriculum, children’s literature, environmentalism, and poetry, this thoughtful book, in the words of Pulitzer Prize–winning poet Gary Snyder, gives us “pleasure and hope.”

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5–8—River of Words is an organization that holds an art and poetry contest each year for children and teens. Winners of the competition over the past 12 years make up this substantial volume. The theme of the contest is "Watersheds," and most of the 250-plus poems deal with water in nature. Many different forms are represented, though the vast majority are free verse. The poets range in age from 5 to 18, and although the quality and sophistication of the selections varies with the age of the authors, the poems are honest expressions of the young peoples' ideas and emotions. The book is illustrated with a few full-color reproductions of pictures that were done by children who also took part in the competition. The artwork ranges in style from picturesque to abstract and is on the whole appealing and vibrant. This is a great anthology to inspire young poets to express themselves freely.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

The nonprofit organization River of Words encourages children to learn about the environment by studying local watersheds. In addition to curriculum guides, the organization sponsors an international poetry and art contest. Introduced with thought-provoking words by organization founders Pamela Michael and poet Robert Hass, this inspiring volume collects poetry and art contest entries by students, from preschoolers to teens, who record experiences in the natural world. As in Naomi Shihab Nye’s collection of student work, Salting the Ocean (2000), the poems represent a wide range of sophistication and polish. Teachers and students alike will marvel at many of the direct, powerful entries that convey with deep sincerity the sense of self a child finds in the wilderness: “The river also talked. / She wanted me to know / that my name / was important,” writes a five-year-old. Like the poetry, the occasional artwork will move and inspire many readers to explore and find connection with their own patches of earth. Grades 4-12. --Gillian Engberg --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 298 pages
• Publisher: Milkweed Editions (March 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571316809
• ISBN-13: 978-1571316806
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 7.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,061,828 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A BEAUTIFUL BOOK FOR EVERYONE!, April 16, 2008

By 

Troy Lee (Clayton) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: River of Words: Young Poets and Artists on the Nature of Things (Paperback)

This touching book is not just for children. I keep it on my coffee table for all to enjoy and they do! I bought it for my sister and her child but don't think I can give it up. I don't have kids but have greatly enjoyed the art and poems in this absolutely beautiful book with my morning coffee. It gives me hope for the future that talent such as this exists, is cultivated, and nutured by the wonderful people at River of Words! I can't say enough!! My favorite poem is by Jose Perez (age 7!) and is called "Rivers".

Rivers splatter,
hitting rocks below.
But don't be afraid,
there is poetry,
deep inside each crevice.

Can't you just feel the cool clean water and the worlds within!!! Really neat book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Drink it in!, April 1, 2009

By 

Margaret Rock "music lover" (Little Rhody) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: River of Words: Young Poets and Artists on the Nature of Things (Paperback)

My students participated in our local River of Words project for several years. What a fabulous time we had, learning about the power of our local river, its watershed, and our words! This book brought back many fond memories. Thank you!

5.0 out of 5 stars An anthology of both full color art and poetry by poets and artists under the age of eighteen, July 7, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: River of Words: Young Poets and Artists on the Nature of Things (Hardcover)

Art and poetry are two things that go together like bread and butter. "River of Words: Young Poets and Artists on the Nature of Things" is exactly what its title says: an anthology of both full color art and poetry by poets and artists under the age of eighteen. Sure to bring readers face to face with the world as seen through the eyes of the young, "River of Words: Young Poets and Artists on the Nature of Things" is a must for community library poetry and art collections alike. "Water", by Helena Leech, Age 7: Water glistens on the rocks,/ flowing down to the sea,/ gurgling, splishing, splashing, crashing,/ never stopping/ for a cup of tea.