Today I Am a River
Beautiful poetry and entrancing art inspire young readers to celebrate the natural world through movement, imagination, and play. As they pretend they are a skunk or a snake, sunlight or a stone, they will move their bodies and enjoy imaginative play.
From the creative team who brought you Breathe and Be: A Book of Mindfulness Poems comes a perfect book for quiet time or bedtime, as well to spark activities for story time or in the classroom. Today I Am a River empowers children to imagine the world from a multitude of perspectives other than their own and instills in them an appreciation and reverence for the natural world.
From an interview at Danna Smith Books
DS: I noticed the animals that got their own poems aren’t the usual sweet and cuddly ones. You chose a snake, a spider, a skunk, and an owl.
KC: I did want to celebrate animals that may not always get a lot of attention, or at least positive attention. Besides, though I don’t love poems that focus mostly on messages, I had a few thoughts about my animals and their “personalities”: persistence and hard work for the spider, bold self-confidence for the skunk, a willingness to go one’s own way (especially as a creative person) for the snake, and living/enjoying one’s strengths for the owl. The fact that I’m writing for a publisher that emphasizes meditation and mindfulness did give me a certain feeling and direction.
DS: If you could be any ONE thing from your book today, what would you be and why?
KC: I think probably the tree. I am so in love with trees! Right now I keep looking out my office window to enjoy the glorious greens of summer trees.
About the Illustrator
Anna Emilia Laitinen is a Finnish illustrator who is also known for her design work creating stationery, tableware, and textiles. Her love of the outdoors, especially trees, made her the perfect illustrator for this book about mindfulness and nature. Her thoughtful artwork creates a graceful, peaceful world. Anna Emilia has said poetically of her illustration process: “When I paint I think of all the faraway places the wind reaches and hope to hear from them.”
Reviews
“The overarching tone of the book is one of gentle mindfulness. Yet Coombs weaves a sense of constant motion into each poem, with descriptions that seem to leap off the page. Phrases such as 'a shiver of gold' and 'a canyon written in cursive' evoke strong imagery, embracing the power of imagination and encouraging readers to do the same.
One subtle but lovely element of the book is the idea that imagination is also a healthy way to process and manage the complex emotions children experience every day; that it’s a safe space for self-expression and discovery.”
—Children’s book author Christine Hayes
“Kate’s charming metaphors, judicious use of alliteration and rhyme, and child-friendly personas speak to emotions kids can relate to. A pond is a 'green eye/looking up at the sky,' who dreams icicle dreams during winter; rain is a skydiver; a snake, 'a paintbrush/in a summer field,' and a cloud, 'a quilt for the day,/stretched by wind.' There is the reminder, too, that there is a time for quiet, reflection, and being alone, 'thinking my own thoughts'...
Don’t miss this joyous celebration, this heart happy song and dance of becoming one with nature. Shine on!”
—Jama Rattigan, Jama’s Alphabet Soup blog
“Children and those who read with them will love Kate Coombs’ lyrical observations and Anna Emilia Laitinen’s gorgeous illustrations in Today I am a River. It is a book meant to be shared and to be savored, calling to the imagination as it encourages the reader to immerse themselves in learning about and connecting to the world around them. Highly recommended!”
—Children’s book author Linda Gerber
“Children pretend their way through the pages and poems of Today I am a River, buoyed by Kate Coombs’s joyful message that they can be anything—everything! They are the wind, 'touching flowers with fingertips,' the rain, 'born of clouds, sister to thunder and lightning,' and a stone 'strong and still, thinking my own thoughts.' With each page (trees, spiders, leaves, sunlight), you feel the love, power, and peace of nature. Anna Emilia Laitinen’s gorgeous soft watercolor illustrations play well with the text. The pairing sets this poetry book apart.”
—Children’s book author Danna Smith
“Kids should be exposed to beautiful poetry and art as part of their reading experience. The ebb and flow of playful, creative, rhyming language included in 'Today I Am a River' is a celebration of the natural world.
Kids can use their imagination and creativity as they make believe they are a snake, skunk, wind, sunlight, or even a stone, just to name a few...
Today I Am a River is a lovely book to share at bedtime or any quiet time. It is inspirational and empowers kids to open up their eyes and imaginations to see their world from other perspectives. I love the book and highly recommend it.”
—Goodreads reviewer Storywraps
“The poems throughout Today I Am a River are easy to read and beautiful in their simplicity. They don’t feel beyond the capacity of a child themselves to write, but also don’t lack in sophistication, a balance for which this author should be applauded.”
—Goodreads reviewer Writing Community
“Everything I could have asked for in a children’s book plus incredible poetry. I cannot wait to read this over and over with my kids.”
—Goodreads reviewer Ashley
“What a lovely book. My son is 3.5 and I think he would enjoy this, especially with the gorgeous illustrations. But I’m 35 and I also felt a deep sense of calm while reading this. I absolutely love children’s books that expose them to beautiful poetry!”
—Amazon reviewer Justine Johnson