The River of Caregiving
By Jocelyn Chung, author
Sarah Gonzales, illustrator
Penguin Random House, 2026
Ages 3 – 7
Enjoy this celebration of familial love and support specific to a Taiwanese /Taiwanese-American/multigenerational family. Here we witness caregiving flowing through a little girl’s family in so many ways, like a river connecting them all. Her grandfather, A-gong, cares for her by picking her up from school with a snack and a smile, and she cares for him by keeping him company at his doctors’ appointments with a snack and a smile and translating. A river water motif weaves throughout digitally finished images of watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil illustrations, with gently scalloped curves framing the daily interactions.
Note how mother helps her grandmother, A-ma, get ready for the day, just as her grandmother once helped her mother. When the relatives send packages to each other, their caring makes them feel as though they live closer. Through occasions big and small, it’s a comfort to know this river of caring is present, and her family will always be there for each other.
This unusual picture book about caretaking (within the family) also includes a touch on grief. “and even when those we love are no longer connected, we stay connected. A-gong [grandfather] continues to care for us through the fruit trees he planted in our backyard that nourish us”. Each family member’s name speaks to a bicultural audience, like “A-gu” and “Great Uncle”. Sarah Gonzales’s illustrations work well for this text. They’re warm, tender, and inviting, just right for such a delicate topic. It is a new book for the times when we need it.
It will be easy for readers to picture their own family structures and those in them who may need a little more help. Heartfelt depictions of love through extended family will help young readers understand that family comes in all shapes and sizes, can be big and broad, and that all families give and receive help from each other. Also cultural nuances can be seen in this loving book for read-alouds or one-on-one sharing. Use this book to introduce multigenerational family units, cultural norms, and caregiving.” Jocelyn Chung’s sensitive words and Sarah Gonzales’ distinct images remind us that our family’s love is a gift to be treasured and demonstrate the realities of growing older and needing additional support from loved ones. The closing sequence highlights connections that endure across life, geographical proximity, age and honoring ancestors.
Submitted by Karen Kosko
