a river ran wild an environmental history

It was interesting to read about their differences in how they viewed nature. The Native Americans (Indians here) shown as all good and the European settlers as all bad, probably nearly true but not quite. But I found most of the text account just okay. I never knew that the European settlers thought the forest bad luck and that’s why they cut down so many trees. The two maps are also done well, and I always enjoy maps in books. I absolutely adored the illustrations, both the large paintings on one side of the page and the tiny miniature paintings on the other side of the page. I would have appreciated some extra material in the back with ideas for kids, with more detailed information about the clean up efforts, etc. This pictorial history of the river, edging towards a hopeful scene of modern-day descendants of both Native Americans and European settlers who come together to combat pollution and restore the beauty of the river, is an intelligent tale that shows young readers how they can do their part in taking care of the world around them, one river at a time.This is a terrific book for activist kids or as a motivator to show how a very few people can make a very big difference in making the world a better place.

Lynne Cherry's contrasting illustrations of the lush valley and the eventual polluted river deliver an astonishing look at our dramatic need for conservation efforts. Each double spread examines brief periods of time when the river and surrounding areas teemed with wildlife. But the industrialization of nearby areas would lead to the deterioration of natural habitats.

Over 7,000 years ago Native Americans settled on the Nashua River, a beautiful and leafy valley. Beloved author of the classic The Great Kapok Tree, Lynne Cherry explores the true story of the Nashua River in Massachusetts in this nonfiction picture book about restoration, renewal, and environmental consciousness.

A river ran wild an environmental history