mountain the stream became
a river. It flowed through
farms where ducks swam and
cows drank and dogs barked
and a farmer took his cream to the town in a small boat. Cam said to the river, "You haven't changed your mind, have you?" The river sang in the voice of green and gold frogs ... "
Oh, to be as brave and adventurous as Cam. His grandfather has promised him a trip to the sea, but they have not yet gone. On this particular day, Cam notices a tiny stream of water running in the trees near his home. As young, inquisitive children often do, he impulsively decides to follow it and see where it leads. He is sure he can hear the water calling to him.
"Come with me. Come with me. I will take you to the sea."
What a promise! Cam follows. That little trickle of water soon meets another and the two become a creek. That creek seems to make the same offer if Cam follows. The creek becomes a stream, and so on. Finally, when the river seems to be taking its own sweet time to go anywhere, there is a sudden change in atmosphere and it calls out.
"Come with me!"
Cam does, and his persistence is rewarded. There, in front of him, is an expanse of water that has no end. The sea has its own song to sing for Cam - a song of wind, and birds, and whales, and ships, and even snow! He can't wait to get home and tell his grandfather.
Joy Cowley is a New Zealand treasure. She has been writing books I have loved reading since the early 70s, and I have been sharing them with children in school and at home for many of those years. This 25-year-old story about the beauty to be found in nature is poetic, and filled with lovely descriptive language that continues to entice and encourage young readers. New illustrations by Kimberly Andrews include gorgeous natural landscapes that change often throughout this wondrous journey, allowing readers to follow along as Cam finds his way to the sea he has so longed to see.
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