Description

A gorgeous 20th anniversary hardback jacketed gift edition of Eva Ibbotson’s award-winning, bestselling classic adventure. Fully illustrated in colour throughout by Katie Hickey.

‘The most perfect children’s book . . . captivatingly told, funny and moving’ – Nicolette Jones, Sunday Times

A joyous Amazon adventure set in the lush nature of Brazil, Journey to the River Sea is filled with mystery and extraordinary characters. It’s perfect for girls and boys of 9+.

Maia, an orphan, can’t wait to reach her distant relatives a thousand miles up the Amazon. She imagines a loving family with whom she will share great adventures. Instead she finds two spiteful cousins who see the jungle as the enemy and refuse to go outdoors. But the wonders of the rainforest more than make up for the hideous twins and their parents.

And when Maia meets a mysterious boy who lives alone on the wild river shores, she begins a spectacular journey to the heart of an extraordinary and beautiful new world.

Winner of the Smarties Gold Medal.
Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and the Whitbread Award (now the Costa).

Publisher Review

The most perfect children's book . . . captivatingly told, funny and moving -- Nicolette Jones * Sunday Times * A bubbly and fantastical adventure . . . Driven by humour and warmth, Journey to the River Sea has an irresistible charm -- Julia Eccleshare * Guardian * A plot too exciting to put down. Sheer pleasure -- Sarah Johnson * The Times * My favourite children's book -- Lauren St John Enchanting and inspiring. Any reader presented with this book will be enriched for life -- Anne Fine A wonderful adventure story, told with energy and imagination * Mail on Sunday * This year (thanks to a recommendation by Ella Risbridger on Instagram, of all places) I have binged on Eva Ibbotson, not her children's books, but her elegantly written, witty and well-observed if (after a few) formulaic fables of emigrees with beautiful burnished hair fallen on hard times. I read one after another, and rather feel your Christmas might be brightened by doing the same. So may I suggest A Song for Summer, followed by The Morning Gift, then The Secret Countess, A Company of Swans, Magic Flutes, Journey to the River Sea, and The Star of Kazan. -- Nigella Lawson * The Sunday Times *