Over the River and Through the Wood

Songs and poems from long ago are often made into picture books or board books for today’s little ones. The titular song Over the River and Through the Woods was taught to every schoolchild in the country in years past. Very likely it is still being taught today. It will, without a doubt, have a sweet familiarity to the parents and grandparents who will read (or perhaps sing) this lovely board book to their youngsters.

This book features three verses, although it might be only the first verse that is truly familiar. However, the second and third verses add much richness and completion to the story being told in the song. The real star of this book, though, is the art. Illustrator Christopher Manson has created gorgeous woodcut pictures that are painted in rich reds, browns, greens, blues, and more.

The end result is a book that will take readers spinning back to a nostalgic time around the turn of the 19th century, with horse-drawn sleighs and sleigh-bells jingling, with children sledding on wooden sleds and skating on simple blades. This is a perfect book to begin the holiday season with due to its Thanksgiving theme.