If the Rivers Run Free

While rivers make up just a fraction of the water on Earth, they provide the majority of what we use every day. Rivers run over and through our world, and sometimes we don't even know they are there. But do we fully understand or even appreciate all that rivers can do? All over the world, cities large and small were built near rivers because of what they can provide: drinking water, transportation, power sources. But over the centuries as cities grew, the rivers became polluted by sewage and industrial waste, and their natural flow patterns were disrupted. Disease and flooding were often the result. In a short-sighted attempt to address these issues, city planners buried old rivers beneath city streets. But this solution brought more problems. Finally, a group of naturalists realized that freeing buried rivers could be the answer to managing urban waterways. In rhyming text, the fascinating story of "daylighting," unearthing and restoring buried rivers to their rightful places as source of well-being and beauty, comes to life.

Format List Price Your Price Qty
$18.99 $18.99
$18.99 $18.99
$30.99 $30.99
Interest Level Kindergarten - Grade 3
Reading Level Grade 1
Dewey 333.91/62
Lexile 680L
ATOS Reading Level
Guided Reading Level O
Publisher Sleeping Bear Press
Language English
Available Formats Hardcover (9781534112780), PDF (9781668935422), ePub (9781668935156), Hosted ebook (9781668935330), Kindle (9781668935248)
Copyright 2023
Number of Pages 40
Dimensions 9 x 11
Graphics Full-color illustrations

Booklist Review - If The Rivers Ran Free

STARRED REVIEW: A captivating, persuasive picture book.

Booklist Review - If The Rivers Ran Free

STARRED REVIEW: A captivating, persuasive picture book.

Kirkus Review - If The Rivers Ran Free

A gentle reminder that we haven’t been good to our natural home, but it’s not too late to make amends.

Kirkus Review - If The Rivers Ran Free

A gentle reminder that we haven’t been good to our natural home, but it’s not too late to make amends.

Author: Andrea Debbink

Andrea Debbink grew up along the wide and untamable Mississippi River in Minnesota. Later she explored many other rivers, usually with a canoe or kayak paddle in hand. But it wasn’t until a few years ago that Andrea learned about the world’s lost rivers—urban rivers that are hidden beneath city streets—and the people who are bringing them back into the light. In addition to being a river enthusiast, Andrea is a certified Master Naturalist and an author who’s written several books for children, including The Wild World Handbook series and Sylvie and the Wolf. Learn more about her at andreadebbink.com.

Illustrator: Nicole Wong

Nicole Wong has lived her whole life in Fall River, Massachusetts, walking along downtown streets where once a river and eight waterfalls flowed, all demolished and replaced by an interstate highway. A graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, Nicole has illustrated more than twenty-five books for children, including Kiyoshi’s Walk, Diving Deep, Three Lost Seeds, I'll Be the Water, and No Year of the Cat. She lives with her husband, their daughter, and their pets.

Educational front/back matter
Original artwork
Full-color illustrations