Ripples by Katie Yamasaki is stunning. It's thoughtful, tender, and quietly powerful, as her work always is. The illustrations invite lingering. I especially loved the small, careful details: plants growing along the banks, animals appearing and reappearing, tiny moments that reward close looking. This feels like a book kids will want to return to again and again, noticing something new each time.

The story’s sense of community is beautifully rendered. The river becomes a shared space where diverse people show up for one another and for the habitat that sustains them all.

Ripples feels like an offering: an invitation to slow down, pay attention, and understand ourselves as part of a living system. It’s the kind of book that opens conversations—about environment, community, responsibility, and belonging—while also simply being a joy to read and look at.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC.

Ripples
By Katie Yamasaki
Published by WW Norton & Co

This latest beautiful work of art picture book from Katie Yamasaki is both lyrical and enticing. As the story of a young girl and her Aunty unfolds as they travel down the river, other people stories unfold too.

The stunning illustrations make you feel part of their journey as they travel down the river. Surrounded by nature, there are many small details to discover.
Birds soar, butterflies gather as they journey along in their raft. Likewise other families engage in chit chat, sharing food, celebrations, caring, sharing and protecting one another.

But the ultimate goal is to protect nature as they come together to tidy up the pollution that is littering the river.

Ripples is just that - as we love and care for one another, so too can be true about loving and caring for our planet.

Beautiful! Powerful! A message for us all!

Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature.
#Netgallery

A wonderful story about stewardship, nature, family, and friends, Ripples is sure to inspire the next generation of conservationists! Throughout the course of a river rafting trip, Ayla and her aunty witness both big and small displays of community and nature appreciation. The illustrations really made the story come alive and provided a sense of nostalgia for me. I remembered my time in nature in various capacities and saw myself on that river raft because ultimately, nature brings us back to our purest, realest selves. I highly recommend this beautiful book!

Children’s picture book. A day on the river. A journey with a child and Gran. Countryside, animals and plants to ponder. Exciting being pushed onwards, along with friends.

The artwork is vibrant and filled with peaceful action. The words allow the reader to flow merrily along too.

Children will love reading this, and chatting about what they are reading and seeing.

Thank you to W. N. Norton & Company and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.