Illustrated by Jon Van Zyle
ISBN 0-395-96790-2
Clarion Books, 2000
Ages 4-8
AWARDS AND REVIEWS:
2001 Outstanding Science Trade Book: National Science Teachers Association and the Children's Book Council
"Beginning and ending in winter, this elegant book traces the seasonal changes of an Alaskan river. The descriptive text, filled with peaceful imagery, reveals the life the river supports and its interconnectedness. A small boy observes the drama of wildlife - the moose knee-deep in the river, a kingfisher swooping for salmon, a red fox scavenging along the riverbank..."
-Booklist
"An ecology lession made beautifully simple."
- Kirkus Reviews
"Young children will be drawn to the attractive illustrations and simple story, and older nature lovers will appreciate the more subtle elements like the author and illustrator's obvious affection for and excitement about their subject..."
- School Library Journal
CREATING THE BOOK:
Our family has hiked along the banks of many wild rivers in Alaska. Rivers offer excellent habitat for a great diversity of life. Many plant and animals species can be discovered along our rivers, from salmon and brown bears, to yellow warblers, willows, and moose. Each species is part of an extensive web of life that is linked to the river. River of Life is based on my personal experiences and wildlife observations over the course of the last 25 years. Several rivers in the southcentral region of Alaska are a part of the River of Life story. There may be some plants and animals along the River of Life that you might discover along a river near your own home. Many of Alaska's birds are summer visitors that migrate to the continental U.S., and Central and South America, for the winter season. You might recognize some of these birds in the story.
FUN FACTS FOR KIDS:
Did you know that...
* The Yukon River is the longest river in Alaska, and the third longest river in the United States. The Yukon flows from the Canadian border across Alaska for 1,875 miles before it reaches the Bering Sea.
* There are more than 3,000 rivers in Alaska
* Male brown bears can eat an average of eight fish per day when the salmon are running. One hungry bear was once observed catching 90 fish in one day!
* Our family lives on a ridge above the Tanana River, near Fairbanks. Can you find this river on a map of Alaska?
