The River

By Aminita Colon; Illustrated by Sergio Drumond

Genre: Children/Inspirational (Ages 3 to 12 years)

Pages (paper): 42

Via: Author/publicist request

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Kimber: Okay, okay. The headline for this post is a really bad take-off on one of our favorite novellas. Hint: Norman Maclean. Mom’s idea. So blame her, okay?

Anywho, we had mixed reactions to this short and to-the-point children’s book. The main reason we had mixed reactions is because one of us just finished plowing through a read that was as dense as peanut butter. And not nearly as tasty. The other was just being her Ole Curmudgeonly self. Hi, Mom.

The story is told in the first person by a boy who’s never named. In fact, none of the characters are named. “The river” has no name. No place. No setting. Kind of annoying.

So a certain book reviewer clearly needed another chocolate fix. Kimber: I took care of that for Mom. In case you’re wondering. And even if you’re not.

Anywho again, we decided to give this book another chance. We liked it a lot more on a second reading.

Here’s the book blurb:

Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of The River El Río, a bilingual children’s book that celebrates the magic of nature, cultural identity, and the boundless curiosity of young minds. Through lyrical storytelling and stunning illustrations, this enchanting tale follows a child’s journey of discovery along the river, where every ripple tells a story, and every sound invites a question.

Rooted in both English and Spanish, The River El Río is more than a story—it’s an educational adventure. Parents and educators will find it a valuable resource for nurturing language development, encouraging ecological awareness, and fostering a deep appreciation for multicultural storytelling. Perfect for classrooms, bedtime, or story time, this book connects readers of all ages to the wonders of nature and the beauty of bilingual expression.

This blurb is a bit of a stretch.  It may even be a little misleading. Cuz this is really a gently faith-flavored read about Someone who’s always there to help. Even when you’re afraid. Feel helpless. And out of control. Like the little nameless boy who gets into trouble in the deep waters of a nameless river while riding on his nameless uncle’s back.

Why the publicist doesn’t just come out and say that up front is anyone’s guess. We would’ve been much more likely to grab this book if we knew what it was really like going in. We’re just funny that way.

Even so, this is a sweet and gentle story that’s beautifully illustrated. It will appeal to its target audience of young readers. The River El Rio would make a welcome addition to a home library. It would also make a good choice for a snuggle-up read aloud or a bedtime story.

Our Rating: 3.0

Note: We woulda rated it higher if the publicity folks were up front about the content going in. We’re still just funny that way.