The River of Caregiving by Jocelyn Chung and Sarah Gonzales - OPTIONAL

The River of Caregiving by Jocelyn Chung and Sarah Gonzales. PICTURE BOOK. Nancy Paulsen Books, 2026. $19. 9780593533604

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

A young girl discovers the many ways caregiving flows through her family. She helps her grandfather just as he has always helped her. Her mother cares for her grandmother, just as her grandmother once cared for her. Through these everyday acts of kindness, the child begins to see how love and caregiving connect generations. Like a river, this cycle of care runs through her life, linking her to her ancestors and the generations yet to come.

I loved the message of how multigenerational families love and support one another through every stage of life. The story beautifully highlights the ways care and kindness flow between generations, creating strong family bonds. I also really enjoyed the illustrations, which are warm and engaging. However, I am not sure how much the tone and style of the storytelling will appeal to the intended 3–7-year-old audience. The themes are meaningful, but the reflective narrative may be better suited to upper elementary readers who can more fully appreciate its message. The family is Taiwanese.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian