Time Runs Like A River

By Author / Illustrator

Emma Carlisle

Genre

Environment & Nature

Age range(s)

Publisher

Templar Books

ISBN

9781800785953

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

03-07-2025

Synopsis

Time runs like a river, never resting, moving steadily on. But if we notice how different each minute can be, we can appreciate them before they are gone. Rivers can be fast-flowing or still, raging or calm, just like us.

This lyrical picture book from the award-winning artist Emma Carlisle explores the concepts of time and change through the ebb and flow of a river. From the fleeting flash of a kingfisher to the slow grinding of pebbles, this beautiful book encourages readers to notice the big and small things happening in nature, as well as reflecting on things which have come and gone and those yet to be enjoyed.

Published in association with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the book also includes non-fiction spreads with themes of mindfulness and nature, which can be shared with children.

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Reviews

Louise

Time Runs Like a River is a stunning picture book that captures the flow, grace, beauty of nature and encourages thoughtful reflection. Emma Carlisle's lyrical storytelling and evocative illustrations invite young readers to slow down and observe the ever-changing natural world around them.

This is a perfect book for the classroom, especially during lessons on seasons, habitats, or emotional literacy. It pairs beautifully with topics like mindfulness, change, and the passage of time. Students will be drawn to both the poetic narrative and the detailed nonfiction spreads at the back, which provide rich discussion opportunities.

Ideal for shared reading with five- to seven-year-olds, particularly at a point of transition or at the end of the school year, this book inspires calm, curiosity, and a deeper appreciation for nature's rhythms - and our place within them.

Picture book / Reviewed by Louise Gahan, teacher