Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews

Give her the River: A father’s wish for his daughter

Give her the River: A father’s wish for his daughter

Michael Dennis Browne
Illustrator:   Wendell Minor 
Picture Book
For ages 3 to 6
Simon and Schuster, 2004   ISBN: 978-0689843266

Here is a father who wants to give his daughter a wonderful gift - the river. For him the river means beautiful sights, sounds, feelings and experiences. There is seeing "the river at dawn" with swans floating across its glass like surface; there is swinging in the swing which hangs near the "old stone steps" where little blue flowers are blooming; there are the soft sounds of the water going by.

These two spend a lot of their time on and around the river, enjoying its beauty all year round.

With atmospheric lyrical text the author of this book superbly conveys a father's love for his daughter. There is the love that they share for the river, its moods, its gifts, its animals and its visitors.