The Upside Down River: Tomek's Journey

LoveReading4Kids Says

Tomek’s Journey is a huge bestseller in France and it’s easy to see why.

Young Tomek is a shopkeeper in a quiet little town when he falls head over heels in love and sets out on an extraordinary adventure to find a girl he’s met only once, and whose name he doesn’t know.

In the tradition of the best fairy stories, his search for the girl, who in turn is seeking the legendary River Qjar, rumoured to bestow immortality, brings him new challenges but new friends too. He must travel through a magical forest filled with savage, enormous bears, cross the sea to the Island-That-Isn’t and on still further.

There’s much danger, but our overall sense is that Tomek’s innocence and good nature will keep him safe. The tone of this book is unlike anything else in the children’s book world now.

It’s philosophical, profound, yet playful too, and Tomek’s journey is truly eye-opening.

Reviewed by Andrea Reece
Andrea Reece has spent almost her entire working life in children’s books, first as publisher, latterly as consultant, project manager and critic.
More reviews by Andrea Reece

About The Upside Down River: Tomek's Journey

Tomek lives a quiet life running his late parents' village store, which has everything you could ever need, and more. Then one day a girl visits. She asks Tomek if he sells something he's never heard of before: a drop of water from the magical River Qjar, which flows back to front and upside down. When he admits he has none, she slips away.

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