Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Earth Day is April 22. However, I feel that as a world we need to celebrate Earth Day every day. Spring seems like a perfect time to think about cleaning our planet. Whether it is helping pick up trash on a street, trail or beach or even a water way, every little bit helps. Today we are sharing a wonderful picture book about how one act of kindness can create a large effect. The book is Ripples by Katie Yamasaki. At the end of my review there is a giveaway too!!
About the Book:
Ripples Written and Illustrated by Katie YamasakiAges: 6–10 | 40 Pages | Publisher: Norton Young Readers (2026) | ISBN: 978-1324053941
Publisher's Book Summary: A young girl and her Aunty set sail on their river raft, basking in each other's company and in the beauty of the world around them. Along the way, they pass friends and families caring for one another—sharing food, tending wounds, celebrating birthdays, and telling stories—who ultimately join them in cleaning litter and trash from the river. A moving picture book about compassion, community, and caring for our shared world.
Purchase Links:
About the Author:
Katie Yamasaki works primarily as a muralist and picture book creator. She has painted more than eighty murals around the world, exploring local stories of identity and social justice. Her picture books include Mural Island, Place Hand Here, Shapes, Lines, and Light, Dad Bakes, and Everything Naomi Loved. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her family.
To learn more, visit
From Me:
In this beautifully illustrated book, a young girl and her aunt are paddling on a river. They are enjoying the beauty of nature, each other's company and the diverse friends they pass. The friends are groups of people--families, couples, a birthday party. Each seems to be doing their own thing outside. When the girl and aunt come to the body of water where the river flows it is full of litter. The two of them begin to clean the water by taking the trash out of it. It seems like a lot of work but then all the friends who they passed join them and help care for the river and the water. I love how the girl is in the river raft with her aunt and not a parent (or grandparent). Extended family is an important part of a childhood, and I know my daughter has a special relationship with her aunts.
This book would be perfect for Earth Day! But it is also perfect for any day. It has many beautiful themes. There is that of family and friends caring for each other including cleaning a cut one got. They wave to the many people they pass, and the people wave back providing the connection. Then they all come together to care for the river and water. They want to keep their river clean for each other, themselves and the many animals that live there. The illustrations are full of various animals and beauty. I love how diverse the people are and that they all get on their river rafts to help take care of the water. The ripples of the paddles in the water as well as the ripples of kindness flow throughout this book.
This book is perfect for any story time. It is also a great book to talk about caring for others and for our planet. It would be a wonderful introduction for a class or group to read before going to do some community cleaning. It reminds us that we are all responsible for taking care of our planet and our surroundings. It is a wonderful introduction to stewardship of our world. Plus, it is just a beautiful story and book to read any time!
Giveaway:
