Bob and the River of Time - Softcover

This wonderful story, beautifully illustrated with an endearing cast of characters, manages to cleverly combine storytelling with activity and learning in a deft and delightful way. My birthday present quandaries have all been solved! --Kate Humble

My views: I thought that Bob and The River of Time was a beautifully illustrated heart-warming story. The writing had a gentle rhythm and flow to it which made it easy for my children to understand. The message of the story around life being similar to the river journey with plenty of things to stop and wonder at, along with the certainty of the passing seasons offering new beginnings, was really lovely and reassuring for bedtime reading. The illustrations are just stunning amazing colours, variety and attention to detail and also a strong sense of nature and wildlife which both my children and I really enjoyed. There are so many children s stories now that I groan at when I have to read them. This book is different it s a modern classic that I believe both parents and children can enjoy. My children s views: My children thought that the book was very colourful with lots of interesting things to look at. They particularly liked the unusual secret referred to at the beginning which they said was exciting and made them want to hear more. My 7 year old was comfortable reading it out loud and both children were totally engaged and interested for the whole story. They liked the nice gardens and seemed to really enjoy counting the animals and plants on each page. They also loved the facts and figures about the wildlife that Bob had encountered on his journey. I explained to them if they had understood what I felt was the meaning of the book (referred to above) and it was clear that they had. It was a definite hit. --Kate Stansfield, mother of two

This is a really interesting book. It is a book of two halves really. The first half tells the story of Bob, travelling by boat along the River Mumbles, observing the changing seasons and the different weather systems they bring, and the wide variety of animal and plant life. Each double page is crammed full of interesting information and can be used to spark discussions about the natural world and transitions between the seasons. This is a lovely gentle tale; idyllic even. The second half of the book is the information half. If you wanted to use the story to promote discussions about wildlife then this half not only contains a cast of characters complete with information about each one, but also a visual guide to where they are all hiding in the story. This adds longevity to the story and makes it an interesting reference book for inquisitive young minds. --Neil Henty, Early Years Educator, November 2016 issue

Bob and the River of Time introduces children to the beauty and wonder of wildlife and nature. Bob discovers the changing seasons, different types of weather and a huge variety of plant and animal life. On Bob's journey, he sees a host of different animals, creepy crawlies, birds, flowers, vegetables and trees. The book is packed with interesting facts, meaning children can learn more as they discover the different critters. The beautiful illustrations and attention to detail ensure that each time you open the book you'll discover something new. There is a key in the back of the book to show you where all the colourful characters are hiding, in case you're really stuck! Join Bob as he learns to be mindful and maintain a positive outlook, even when he isn't sure where the river is taking him. The calming flow of the story will send children to a place of tranquil and inspired imagination. The story is ideal for relaxing bedtime reading, but hunting for and learning about all of the creatures will provide hours of additional fun. Searching for the many creatures and plants within the book is a great way to focus a child's mind, especially if their mind has a tendency to wander. Join Bob as he learns one of the most simple, eloquent and powerful lessons life can teach. Bob and the River of Time is a fantastical, educational picture book written and illustrated by James Garner. It is a charming, colourful, fun short story ideal for entertaining and inspiring children. Suitable for children aged 3 years and upwards. "An adrenaline-fuelled white-knuckle ride." Parsley the Snail "There isn't a single car in the whole book so it's a thumbs up from me!" Gemma the Hedgehog "I was really enjoying it up until I got eaten." Alex the Worm