Danielle Daniel has the ability to evoke a sense of calm and comfort through her beautiful words. In her new picture book, Sometimes I Feel Like a River, illustrated by Josée Bisaillon, readers have the opportunity to connect to the natural world in a mindful way.

Through twelve short evocative poems, Danielle Daniel connects emotions and feelings to different natural elements like the sun, the moon, the mountains and of course a river. At the end of the story, she includes a mindfulness activity that will get readers out into nature for a little forest bathing.

This beautiful picture book is not only soothing and calming but will also help readers connect to nature and the importance of keeping these places pristine so that they can continue to be enjoyed for years to come. When we can personally connect with things, it gives us ownership and a better sense of our responsibilities in the world. It’s a perfect book to either start the day or end the day.

Sometimes I Feel Like a River is also a perfect story for teachers working on poetry or creative writing to inspire young writers to use simile and metaphor as well as comparison to fuel their own writing pieces.

Josée Bisaillon’s illustrations are a masterpiece. Sweeping paper cut/collage illustrations cover each two page spread and evoke the joy and the beauty of the outdoors that is right at our fingertips no matter where we live.