As Strong as the River; Sarah Noble

Sarah Noble’s debut picture book is something rather special.

Little bear may not be big yet but one day they hope to be big and strong like all of the other bears because everyone knows that there’s nothing stronger than a bear. Mama thinks differently though. And whilst she can teach her cub where to find berries, how to fish in the river and how to pick out the ideal tree to scratch your back on, not everything can be taught. Somethings just need to be learnt because it’s the most important lessons that get passed on in other ways…

Underpinned by a beautiful moral and important life lesson, a brown mama bear teaches her young cub the things they need to know to survive and thrive in the wild in this touching and tender animal tale. Told through the innocent and excitable eyes of the cub, As Strong as the River explores the wonders of nature and the importance of nurture through a loving and special relationship that exists between a mother and her young.

Like many young children and animals, little bear is keen to grow up and to become the biggest and the strongest. But there is more to life than just being big and strong and as mama and cub forage and hunt, fish and scratch, the cub learns the value of patience and the need to respect nature’s power and beauty.

Filled with breathtakingly beautiful illustrations, gorgeous wild landscapes and sweet words, each page is a feast for the eyes and will make you feel as warm and fuzzy as the aforementioned bears. It is quite possibly the most beautiful picture book I have ever read of a young animal learning the ways of the world from their mother.

This perfect bedtime story is gorgeous in every single way.

Recommended for 2+.