The Waterfall's Gift

Front Cover
Gibbs Smith, Publisher, Feb 1, 2004 - Juvenile Nonfiction - 40 pages

The insistent voice of the waterfall rings through the old north woods, beckoning a listening child back to the secret place she once shared with her grandfather. Its call mingles with the lively sounds of the forest--the birds and rustling leaves--in a reassuring blend of past and present, then and now.

In this lyrical tale, the young narrator visits the cabin that her Grandpa built and rediscovers the familiar woodland haunts they used to explore together. Now that Grandpa's gone, she wanders alone yet feels a comforting sense of oneness with the forest. There are berries to taste and smooth stones to skip across the water. And best of all, there's a surprise waiting for her in Grandpa's special pool at the foot of the waterfall.

Adults and children alike will be captivated by this tender tale of loss and renewal amidst a natural setting that's as alive and appealing as the characters who move within it. Richard Jesse Watson's remarkable illustrations, with their rich, earthy colors and enchanting details, capture both the mystery and magic of the woodland setting and the quiet drama of the narrator's adventure.

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About the author (2004)

Joanne Ryder has written more than fifty books for children in which she blends poerty and science as she explores the natural world. She is a recipient of many awards, including the American Nature Study Society's Eva Gordon Award for Children's Science Literature. She lives in Pacific Grove, California, with her husband, author Laurence Yep. Richard Jess Watson has illustrated several distinguished children's books, including Tom Thumb, a Booklist Editor's Choice, and One Wintry Night, by Ruth Bell Graham, which won the C.S. Lewis Gold Medal in 1995. he lives in Hollywood, California.

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