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roseleaf24's review
3.0
The introduction to this book was fascinating: the book was published posthumously. Rawlings didn't publish it as it is because she thought it could become something longer. It is considered Rawlings only children's book, since The Yearling was published before Young Adult was its own thing. This is a cute story about a girl facing hard times who finds a secret river and fishes in it. She is able to turn the hard times to soft times again.
bookgirl4ever's review
4.0
Calpurnia is a delightful, innocent girl who finds her family affected by hard times. Her father is a fisherman who can't find fish and as a result the locals of the forest don't have food to eat or energy to work. Calpurnia turns to the local wise woman for help. Mother Albirtha tells Calpurnia of the secret river that is teeming with fish, especially catfish. She tells Calpurnia to follow her nose to find this mysterious river. Calpurnia does and good things happen as a result. This recently released version of the 1956 Newbery Honor winner has new illustrations. A magical story for middle elementary school-aged children. This book would also make a nice read-aloud for young children.
sammi_jo's review
5.0
I usually do not add children's books to my goodreads lists, but this was was such a great book that I felt it needed to be on my shelves. First, the story though not one that would seem amazing really is once you think about it. It is a message of hope and faith, do not give up, do not lose hope, do not let your faith falter and you will not only survive but thrive. Second, the illustrations.....I do not know that there are words to describe them besides beautiful and artistic. This book was truly a joy to read.
alysona's review
5.0
Beautiful illustrations! I wasn't even that interested in reading the story, but the artwork was so intriguing, I had to read it. Then the story captured me which led me back to the images. What more could you ask for in a picture book? My first favorite book of 2011!
bookarian's review
4.0
beautiful language and pictures in this folktale, longer than is typical for a picture book but lovely
danyell919's review
4.0
This was a cute little story! I’ve looked for it for years in libraries across several states and couldn’t find it. I finally bought it on Thriftbooks. I think it will be a good read aloud with my kiddos!
kittarlin's review
4.0
Not really a chapter book, but this did take us two days to read all the way through. Caitlyn enjoyed it.
tealmango's review
3.0
This Newbery honor book by Leo and Diane Dillon is from 1956, and it is very cute. Each page is filled with colored illustrations that look like paintings–gorgeous. Although there are a lot of words on many of the pages, I suppose you could call it a picture book. It is just a beautiful, lovely book.
The story itself is also very nice, sort of a modern-day fable. A young girl named Calpurnia is worried about her father, who cannot catch enough fish to keep his fish market open. Times are hard. So she goes off in search of the secret river, which is full of fish–especially catfish. Her adventures to and from the secret river make up the rest of this book.
The main draw for this book is the art. It is amazing. Young kids will be sure to enjoy it, but then again, so did I!
Read more on my blog: http://newberyandbeyond.com/newbery-review-the-secret-river/
The story itself is also very nice, sort of a modern-day fable. A young girl named Calpurnia is worried about her father, who cannot catch enough fish to keep his fish market open. Times are hard. So she goes off in search of the secret river, which is full of fish–especially catfish. Her adventures to and from the secret river make up the rest of this book.
The main draw for this book is the art. It is amazing. Young kids will be sure to enjoy it, but then again, so did I!
Read more on my blog: http://newberyandbeyond.com/newbery-review-the-secret-river/