A woman’s 300-mile journey by canoe down the Hudson River, from its source in upstate New York to the Atlantic Ocean just south of New York City, is largely solitary but far from uneventful as chronicled in this slightly oversized yet understated picture book. Even with her map and careful planning, the fictional, contemporary, white woman doesn’t know what to expect around each bend. The first day she encounters a moose. The first night, as she camps, “The moon climbs up among the stars. She is alone, but not. The river stays beside her, mumbling to her and itself all through the night.” The artful prose and elegant watercolor illustrations are full of captivating details, describing moments of tension and moments calm, moments of reflection and moments of whimsy. Ample end matter includes an author’s note (which unfortunately refers to Native peoples from the area in the past-tense only), more about the Hudson River, sources, and a map of her journey marking where events in the story occurred. (Ages 6–9)

Caldecott Honor winner Elisha Cooper invites readers to grab their oars and board a canoe down a river exploration filled with adventure and beauty.

In Cooper's flowing prose and stunning watercolor scenes, readers can follow a traveler's trek down the Hudson River as she and her canoe explore the wildlife, flora and fauna, and urban landscape at the river's edge. Through perilous weather and river rushes, the canoe and her captain survive and maneuver their way down the river back home.River is an outstanding introduction to seeing the world through the eyes of a young explorer and a great picture book for the STEAM curriculum.Maps and information about the Hudson River and famous landmarks are included in the back of the book.