From School Library Journal
Gr 1-3-A barefoot girl clad in rolled-up overalls takes readers on an exquisite journey to a special place: a waterfall deep in the north woods near her grandmother's house. On the way, she dips her feet in the frigid water, picks berries, and chirps with a bird. When her destination is in sight, a vertical illustration forces readers to pause, linger, and contemplate the natural wonder felt by the child who adores it. Once the young narrator finds the perfect rock for sitting, just as her grandfather had taught her, she holds her face to the sun and remembers him. There, she is visited by a familiar friend, an otter. Back home, she joins her grandmother in admiring the clouds and sky above. There is much more here than a simple tale of a girl communing with the outdoors. There is the awakening of all five senses, a remembering of deceased loved ones, a connection to the past, and a hope for the future. The poetic language sets the perfect pace for this story about discovery and solitude while Watson's detailed egg tempera illustrations add the final layer to this beautifully crafted book.
Holly T. Sneeringer, St. Mark School, Baltimore, MD
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
From the Inside Flap
The insistent voice of the waterfall rings through the old north woods, beckoning a listening child back to the secret place she once shared with her grandfather. Its call mingles with the lively sounds of the forest--the birds and rustling leaves--in a reassuring blend of past and present, then and now. In this lyrical tale, the young narrator visits the cabin that her Grandpa built and rediscovers the familiar woodland haunts they used to explore together. Now that Grandpa's gone, she wanders alone yet feels a comforting sense of oneness with the forest. There are berries to taste and smooth stones to skip across the water. And best of all, there's a surprise waiting for her in Grandpa's special pool at the foot of the waterfall. Adults and children alike will be captivated by this tender tale of loss and renewal amidst a natural setting that's as alive and appealing as the characters who move within it. Richard Jesse Watson's remarkable illustrations, with their rich, earthy colors and enchanting details, capture both the mystery and magic of the woodland setting and the quiet drama of the narrator's adventure.
