A River Running Through You - Shortlisted, 2026 Wainwright Prize

Shortlisted for the 2026 Children’s Wainwright Prize for Picture Books

Have you ever lingered on a riverbank watching the water flow, and wondered where it comes from or where it might be going?

Embark on a never-ending voyage in which young readers explore some very old questions - questions so old that they have stories for answers. This mesmerizing journey through mountain springs to vast oceans, from rivers in the sky to streams within our own bodies, guides readers through reflections on nature, life and our place within it.

Written by bestselling nature writer Amy-Jane Beer, this enchanting book spirals through time and space to remind us that water is more than just a resource - it is part of who we are.

Praise for A River Running Through You:
“Science and story, history and hope all mingle in the currents of this wise, beautiful book of rivers, ice and rain, which reminds us that our fate flows with that of water - and always has.” -Robert Macfarlane

“A stunning book about the way water connects us will appeal to all.” - Good Housekeeping

“Told with words of wonder and luminous illustrations, A River Running Through You overflows with love for the natural world.” -Guy Shrubsole

“…a dreamboat book on the
life, soul and slippery ways of our rivers.
The water cycle story just got a makeover ” -Sam Lee

“Magical and heartfelt” -Melissa Harrison