“Blurp ah pah-shoosh rumbly
pound, A white rapid river
makes a wonderful sound!”
Delightful text and illustrations reveal the sacred cycle of water. Born in the high mountains, a river sweeps and rolls and rushes, fostering abundant life all along its course. Through canyons, lakes, pools and riffles it flows on until it finally enters the sea. From there it rises up into the clouds and becomes rain and snow that fall on high mountains to again become a river. The text is from an irresistible song by the Banana Slug String Band, a children’s musical ensemble dedicated to environmental education. Additional information, resources, musical notation and a CD are included. A profound nature lesson joyfully imparted and sure to be a favorite with families and in the schoolroom. Ages 4 and up.
— Light of Consciousness (Spring 2008)
Riversong, created by Steve Van Zandt on his mother’s 1952 guitar, presents a folksy and moving tribute to river life and lifecycles in the delicate balance of nature. Van Zandt dedicated the book to his mother, who taught him “how to dance with life’s music.” In turn, he shares his appreciation for nature with the next generation. Singers, readers, and listeners wind through Zecca’s illustrations of the river, flora, and fauna over the course of days and seasons, and through the course of a human lifetime. We hear the river trickle and roar along with the joyful music of the Banana Slug String Band. Jump right in! The refrain begs for singing along: Blurp ah pa-shoosh rumbly pound / A white rapid river makes a wonderful sound. This “creative nonfiction” portrays the best of song and picture books, devoted entirely to preserving nature. The text is rounded out with a picture glossary and vast text and website resources, making its appeal ageless and timeless.
— Children’s Literature (June 2007)
Excellent book to teach children about rivers. It’s enjoyable, educational and it comes with a CD of the wonderful environmental music group for kids – the Banana Slug String Band singing the words to the “River Song.”
— Children Of The Earth (ChildrenOfTheEarth.org) (April 2008)
The wonders of the water cycle are joyfully revealed in this book and CD set from the well-known childrens musical group, the Banana Slug String Band. In song, text and illustration the water cycle is celebrated and explained.
A river is born high on a mountain when rain and snow begin to run together as they hit the ground. Along the way the river grows in speed and volume, carving a valley, watering the meadow, bringing life and enjoyment to the people and animals that live nearby. It fills a lake then continues on to the sea where it’s “wild and free.” From the sea it returns to the sky to form new clouds over the mountain and begin the water cycle again.
A picture glossary of the water cycle including plants, animals, and insects featured in the illustrations is a nice supplement to the story. Internet resources for children and the musical notation of the song are provided. A booklist of additional books on nature, some with music, is also included. Students in grades 2-5 who study the water cycle would enjoy this set.
— Catholic Library World – Robin Spano (June 2008)
(5 star rating) This beautifully illustrated, sing-song story tells about the life of a river. The river begins as a cloud, hovering over a mountain top. Moisture falls in the form or rain or snow and eventually forms a stream. This stream finds its way down the mountain, joining with other streams to form a river. The story tells in poetic form how the river changes the land as it rushes down the mountain. River Song introduces the young reader to new vocabulary such as eddy, riffle and meander. It also tells about some of the plants, animals, and insects that depend on the river. Included with this book is a music CD, where the story has been put to music and the children can listen and follow along. I really liked the wonderful, lively pictures; every page a story in itself. This paperback is fairly well bound and durable. I rated this book a 5 and would highly recommend it to all libraries serving young children.
— Lane ESD Book Review Program – Sarah Todd (July 2007)
This book, a song in picture book form, follows a year in the life of a river from the snowmelt at the top of the mountain, until it empties into the ocean. Created with acrylic paints and colored pencils, every page is a naturalistic scene with rich detail. We see an owl in a tall tree, water striders in a pond and individual blossoms on the rhododendron. The scenes pass through all the seasons, with each painting featuring the river, associated wildlife, and people in some. The artwork is captivating and the lyrics are descriptive enough to be included in an earth science lesson. Children will enjoy the onomatopoeic refrain of the song. This would be a good book to feature around Earth Day.
The last few pages of the book contain definitions, “resources for more fun and learning,” the musical score to the first verse, bibliography of other books “that encourage appreciation for nature,” and pictures and bios of River Song’s collaborators, and a CD.
— HRLC Book Review – Jennifer Locke (January 2008)
This book and CD combo introduces readers to the sounds of a river through a blend of poetry, art and music. Author Steve Van Zandt is a longtime river rafting guide, and he shares his respect for the waterways with the emotion in his choice of words. The lead songwriter for the Banana Slug String Band, the group performing on the CD, Van Zandt also employs guest musicians in this fun-filled rendition of “River Song” on the CD, attached to both the hardback and paperback edition.
An award-winning environmental educator, the author has been an elementary school teacher, a science instructor and a natural science workshop presenter. Currently, Van Zandt is the principal and site director of San Mateo Outdoor Education. The book’s artwork is eye-catching, created by Katherine Zecca of Snohomish, Washington. To get an appreciation for what the creators have accomplished with this book, Van Zandt explains, “It takes much more than merely listening to really know rivers.”
— Ventura County Parent Magazine (April 2007)
Read and sing along on a river’s journey from mountain top to sea with acclaimed children’s musical ensemble, the Banana Slug String Band. Van Zant’s vibrant book and CD delight and educate; they ripple and resound with the Slugs’ hallmark combination of science, conservation, music, humor and imagination.
— Pamela Michael, Founding Director
River of Words Youth Poetry & Art
Poetry, art, and an attached CD intertwine to convey the beauty of the river’s music. Other Dawn highlights: Forest Bright, Forest Night and Simply Nature Board Books.
— Connie Mears – New Age Retailer (May 2007)
River Song is a charming book, which provides children insight into the water cycle, watersheds and some of the critters that depend on the water in our rivers. The sense of playfulness and joy in the lyrics of the song will no doubt delight young people and draw them into the wonders of the natural world.
— Judy Wheatley Maben
Water Ed. Director, Calfornia Project WET
River Song is a children’s book and CD that combines poetry, art and music. Award winning author Steve Van Zandt taught elementary education and science. He is the founding musician and songwriter for the Banana Slug String Band, who for over 20 years have been using their songs to teach children about environmental awareness. River Song is a beautiful book that takes the reader on the journey of the river. It begins with rain and snow on a high mountain. The snow melts and the river then starts its journey – past canyons, forests, farms and small towns. Past animals, families and through changing seasons, until it reaches its destination – the sea. The story is sung on the CD with background instruments, and the sounds of water and animals. The chorus is sung by children and is a very catchy phrase that your child will love to sing along with.
— West Virginia Family Magazine (June/July 2007)
This beautifully illustrated, sing-song story tells about the life of a river. The river begins as a cloud, hovering over a mountain top. Moisture falls in the form of rain or snow and eventually forms a stream. This stream finds its way down the mountain, joining with other streams to form a river. The story tells in poetic form how the river changes the land as it rushes down the mountain. River Song introduces the young reader to a new vocabulary such as eddy, riffle and meander. It also tells about some of the CD, where the story has been put to music and the children can listen and follow along. I really liked the wonderful, lively pictures; every page a story in itself. This paperback is fairly well bound and durable. I rated this book a 5 and would highly recommend it to all libraries serving young children.
— Lane Education Service District – Sarah Todd (December 2007)