The Waterfall [Hardcover]

Jonathan London (Author), Jill Kastner (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

We inched our way up and up— The waterfall roared by our ears
into a great rumbling boiling witch's cauldron
far below. "I'm scared," said my brother.
I said, "Just don't look down." Their father says it can't be done, but when two brothers on a camping trip come upon a magnificent waterfall, they resolve to scale the steep rocky slope to its top. In this evocative narrative, inspired by actual experience, renowned writer and poet Jonathan London invites young readers to share in his deep love of the outdoors: from skinny-dipping in a perfect swimming hole, to basking in the warmth of a campfire, to falling asleep to the mysterious rustling of night animals just outside the tent. Perfectly complemented by Jill Kastner's lush nature scenes, readers will be lured into the heart of a summer forest.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With the feel of a real-life family outing, this modest tale rests on London's (Dream Weaver) close observation of nature and his ability to convey a child's thrill in discovery. One of two brothers describes his family's hike along a stream that eventually leads to a roaring waterfall, which the narrator instantly decides he wants to climb. " 'No way,' [says] Dad. 'End of the road.' " The next day turns into one of unexpected triumphs, first when the boys scale the waterfall, then when they coach and coax Mom and Dad as they climb it, too: "I never felt more anxiousAseeing my parents clinging to that sheer rockAor more proud, either," says the narrator. While London offers specific descriptions (e.g., for protection against the sun, "We cut leaves of Indian rhubarb as wide as elephants' ears, and tied them on our heads with vines"), Kastner (Snake Hunt) blurs the details with impressionistic strokes, inviting readers into a realm of leafy green and shadowy rock. The surface energy of her paintings exudes the protagonists' excitement and wonder. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-A July camping trip takes two brothers and their parents deep into the mountains. They wade through a cold creek, carrying their backpacks on their heads, and find a swimming hole in which the boys skinny-dip. Refreshed, they hike farther upstream and discover a magnificent waterfall framed by a rainbow. The boys want to scale the steep sides, but their father says it is too difficult. After a night under the stars, their desire to climb the insurmountable has not diminished. The four of them return to the waterfall, and the boys scramble up the rocks like mountain goats. Mom and Dad watch them dance in triumph at the top and decide to follow suit. Now, the sons watch in anxious excitement while their parents crawl from one steep ledge to another. Safely at the top, the family shares a treasured moment, elated by both the physical challenge and the spectacular scenery. Rich with lush greenery and expressive faces, Kastner's illustrations have the luminous quality of an impressionistic painting. This book complements Allen Say's The Lost Lake (Houghton, 1989) and Deborah Gould's Camping in the Temple of the Sun (Bradbury, 1992), showing family relationships solidified through outdoor adventures.
Jackie Hechtkopf, Talent House School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile (March 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670876178
• ISBN-13: 978-0670876174
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,730,572 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderfully told tale with superb painted illustrations, August 25, 2002

By 

Catherine S. Vodrey (East Liverpool, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Waterfall (Hardcover)

Jonathan London's "The Waterfall" is the tale of a family--parents and two sons--going backpacking in the woods. When they all happen upon a pool, the sons strip down and go skinny-dipping and have a wonderful time. They toast marshmallows, gaze at the stars, and get a little bit spooked by weird noises in the night. But what they really want to spend their time doing is climbing the waterfall which flows into their swimming hole. The parents tell them it probably can't be done, but the boys are determined. Sure enough, they make it to the top and take home a wonderful memory of having overcome something that seemed bigger than they could handle.

Jill Kastner's handsome painted illustrations beautifully enhance London's text. She makes the boys' curiosity, healthy athleticism, and determination come through on each page.