Earth Day may be over, but caring for our beloved planet isn't. Ripples, new picture book from muralist Katie Yamasaki, reminds us of our reponsiblity for the environment and how care can be manifested through small, everyday actions. Enter to win a hardcover copy and a set of five other picture books from the author!
My Review:
Written in short, playful sentences accompanied by vibrant, scenic paintings, Ripples tells a calming, uplifting tale about living in harmony with nature, caring for loved ones and the environment, and the power of community spirit and collective action.
A cheerful, compassionate young girl goes on a river rafting trip with her aunt. As they paddle down the river, they pass groups of friends enjoying a picnic, tending wounds, or holding a birthday party on the banks. The trip isn't just for fun though. It's for a mission too challenging for two. Luckily, their friends show up to support their cleanup efforts. Many hands make light work!
Told from a child's perspective, the story keeps young readers engaged with evocative sensory descriptions and metaphors. For instance, "Wet earth smells like mud pies from Mother Earth's bakery." "As we curve around a bend, the singalong notes of 'Happy Birthday' float past, mixing with birdsong high above and our own voices, splashing in the river." Readers get to see, smell, hear and feel what the narrator is excited to share. The contrast between the beautiful view along the river and the trash floating around on open water alerts us to the urgency and severity of the issue, prompting us to take action and protect our environment.
Alongside the engaging narrative, the book's stunning artwork celebrates the serene beauty of nature, the peaceful coexistence of wildlife and human beings, and the togetherness of a close-knit community, in which everyone knows, helps and cares about one another. The inclusion of adorable wild animals in the pictures, especially babies in the care of their mothers, not only corresponds neatly to the themes of the story, but also charms young readers, deepens their love for nature and awakens their sense of responsibility for the world they live in.
Poetic and picturesque, Ripples makes the perfect pick for Earth Month and beyond. It's a book that activates your senses, warms your heart, and calls for your action.
About the Book:
Ages: 6–10 | 40 Pages
Publisher: Norton Young Readers (2026) | ISBN: 978-1324053941
A young girl and her Aunty set sail on their river raft, basking in each other's company and in the beauty of the world around them. Along the way, they pass friends and families caring for one another—sharing food, tending wounds, celebrating birthdays, and telling stories—who ultimately join them in cleaning litter and trash from the river. A moving picture book about compassion, community, and caring for our shared world.
Purchase links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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