To Climb a Waterfall

Luminous oil paintings and an evocative text take young readers on an unforgettable journey through the wonders of nature as they make their way on a guided tour of the Hudson River Valley's Kaaterskill Falls.

Kindergarten-Grade 2?Written as a series of brief instructions on how to find and climb to the top of a waterfall, this illustrated nature walk seems to have a twofold purpose. First, it makes a natural phenomenon accessible to readers with little or no opportunity to explore the countryside. Also, it sets forth the idea that if one observes nature closely, its wonders become part of the observer's experiences that can be recalled at will (perhaps a new concept for many youngsters). Locker's lush, double-page oil landscapes show a barefoot girl following the water's path through canyon and forest and up ledges to the top of the falls. The book's major shortcoming is that many of the plants and animals mentioned in the text (water thrush and otter; starflower; two-lined salamander; "...water pennies that flatten themselves against the rocks to withstand the current"; "...caddis fly youngsters that hang with threads they spin to the rocks") are not shown. Perhaps George's title will inspire children to search the library's natural-science section to get a look at them.?Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In an opening Hudson River Valley scene of trees, mountains, water and mist, the reader is told "to climb a waterfall, go to the foot of the mountains." From there, an unnamed, barefoot child called "you" hikes up the course of a stream, through a trout pool and on up the canyon: "Turn over the rocks. If you are lucky you'll find a two-lined salamander." No salamander is visible, however; the creatures mentioned in the concise, detailed text often do not appear in the illustrations, dreamily beautiful landscapes viewed with awe from a distance. The use of the second person distances the reader still further. At the conclusion, for example, George (who collaborated with Locker on The First Thanksgiving) asserts that "the waterfall is now part of you." It's probably not a part of the reader, though, because Locker's sweeping oil paintings do not allow for the types of encounters with specific wood and stream creatures which fuel George's story. An unfortunate mismatch. Ages 4-up.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Ages 6^-9. Nature-lover George offers clear yet lyrical directions for climbing a waterfall. Beginning at the foot of the mountains, she suggests following the stream upwards, past the trout pond and the tumbling cascades, to the very top. At several points along the trail, she calls attention to the plants and animals that live in this ecosystem, including water pennies, caddis flies, two-lined salamanders, and hemlock trees. She encourages hikers to look and listen carefully, so they will become one with nature. Locker's elegant, lush oil paintings complement George's poetic text and do justice to New York's Kaaterskill Falls. He makes particularly effective use of light to emphasize the water's path. An excellent model for creative-writing classes, this will also be useful for urging children to be more observant of nature. Kay Weisman