The River

“This book is not simply read—it is experienced. It’s a story that encourages children to trust their instincts, embrace curiosity, and understand that journeys—even uncertain ones—can be beautiful.” —Melanie Braga, Momma Braga

“A new Ponti is always cause for celebration. [The River] is an incredible and inventive exploration of a natural world that dares to explore gender … Exhilarating.“—Betsy Bird, School Library Journal’s Fuse 8 Blog

“Wholly unique … The pages brim with imaginative flora and fauna, as well as rich details of two accepting cultures.” —Danielle Ballantyne, Foreword Reviews

“Ponti has again contrived the most gorgeous fantastical creatures and landscapes … reassuring in its emphasis on community connection, solidarity with the vulnerable, and courage in the face of adversity.” —Glass of Wine, Glass of Milk

“Although a fantastical and amusing tale, Ponti addresses realistic and timely issues in The River that could lead to interesting and thoughtful intergenerational conversations … As is his expertise, Ponti invents yet another playful and meaningful narrative, aurally and visually.” —Michelle Nott

Claude Ponti is a French illustrator and children’s author known for his inventive and playful use of words and the symbolic nature of his illustrations. His first book, L’Album d’Ad le, written for his newborn daughter, displays the associative and dream-like presentation of children’s interior lives that characterizes many of his works. Ponti was awarded the 2006 Sorci res Special prize for his contribution to literature, which now includes over seventy books of all types and for all ages. Elsewhere Editions has published four celebrated picture books by Ponti- My Valley, Hiznobyuti, Blaze and the Castle Cake for Bertha Daye, and Meeselphe.

Margot Kerlidou is a photographer, French tutor, and herbalist. Claude Ponti was her favorite author when she was a child.

Alyson Waters is a translator of modern and contemporary literary fiction, criticism and theory, as well as art history. She teaches literary translation workshops at Yale University, New York University, and Columbia.

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