When a group of children discover that their favorite swimming hole, in a local river, is covered in foul-smelling green slime, they investigate upstream, where they encounter a wise older woman named Riparia, who takes them on an educational hike along the shores, pointing out the pollutants - from run-off fertilizers to livestock allowed to stand in the river itself - that have caused the problem. Enlisting the help of their friend Amy, whose father owns the farm causing the trouble, the children begin a project to restore the river, drawing the farm's fields and livestock back from the river a safe distance, to create a buffer zone, and replanting along the shore.

Although I found the 'fairy-tale' aspect of Riparia's River a little hokey - Riparia, whose name is clearly an adaptation of the word riparian, meaning "of or pertaining to the banks of a river," seems to be a kind of nature spirit, appearing and disappearing mysteriously - I liked the message imparted, about caring for the environment, and restoring damaged ecosystems, all the same. I also really appreciated Riparia's cautionary words to the children, concerning how they should approach their friend Amy about the problem, and the idea that, when seeking to resolve troubling issues, discussion works better than accusation or demands. All in all, this was an enjoyable book, one with an engaging story, good message and appealing artwork. Recommended to young ecologists and river lovers! ( )