GiggleAcademy/Storybook/Tom and the River

Tom and the River

Author

Nazar Kramer

A gentle story about a boy named Tom, who rows down the river after the flood to find his lost toys. Along the way, he meets new friends and learns that every journey feels brighter when shared with a friend.

3 - 8 years old

Friendship & Sharing

Story Details

The river is wide. The water is high. Tom rows his small boat. The flood took his toys. He rows past roofs and trees. “Row, row, row,” he says.

A red ball floats near the boat. “My ball!” he shouts. The ball bounces, the ball jumps, The ball floats on the waves. Tom reaches, grabs, and holds it tight. “You can swim, but not alone,” he says.

The river flows and pushes. The wind blows and whirls. Waves rise, roofs shine, trees bend. The water moves, and Tom moves too. It’s hard to row, but Tom stays calm. “Down, down the river,” he says.

Tom sees a tree ahead. A blue hat hangs in the branches. He rows closer, the boat rocks. Tom climbs the tree and grabs the hat. The wind blows, leaves dance around him. “Fly no more,” he laughs.

A blue shoe floats by. Tom laughs — “You lost your pair!” Ahead, a boy sits on a dock. It’s Max, his friend. Max scoops things from the water with a net. “Hey, Max!” Tom shouts.

“You found your toys!” says Max. “Not all,” says Tom. “More to find.” Max smiles and waves his net. “Then let’s catch them together!” Tom rows, Max leans, both laugh. “It’s easier — and brighter — together,” he says.

Drops fall, then pour — rain again! Tom and Max laugh and splash. “Look!” says Max. “A toy boat!” Tom reaches, Max pulls it close. Both soaked, both smiling, they hold their prize. "Two boats, twice the fun,” he says.

A small cage floats on the waves. Inside, a yellow canary chirps and shakes. The door is open — the bird flies to Tom. It lands on his shoulder. Tom covers it with his blue hat. “We have one more friend,” he smiles.

The wind slows, the rain stops. Clouds break, and light spills through. The river shines again. The canary flies out and sings. A rainbow arches above them. “It’s lighter after dark,” Tom says.

Max lifts his net. A small toy car glitters in the sun. He holds it high and laughs. Tom rows closer, smiling. The river flows, gentle and bright. “One by one, we find them all,” Tom says.

The river flows, gentle and bright. The sky is blue and warm. Tom rows his small boat. The flood took his toys. He rows past roofs and trees. “Row, row, row,” he says.

You May Also Like

Time for a Bath!

Tom the little rabbit plays outside and gets very dirty — but after a bath, fresh clothes, and brushing his teeth, he is clean and ready for bed! #Bedtime stories for you.

T - T - Town

This fun adventure follows Max as he travels into town to meet his brother Tom, giving early readers lots of chances to see and say words that start with the letter t. Through bright illustrations and simple t words on each page, children learn to recognize the letter t and hear its sound /t/ while enjoying Max’s trip into town.

Tom Brushes His Teeth

A simple story about Tom learning to brush his teeth, highlighting the steps involved and the satisfaction of clean teeth.

What Are They Doing?

This playful story introduces young readers to simple actions and vehicles through a series of questions and answers, perfect for early language development and interactive reading.

Little Horse Crosses the River

Little Horse Crosses the River is based on a popular Chinese fable, telling the story of a little pony who was afraid to cross the river after listening to the old cow and the squirrel. This picture book creates a more proactive image of the little horse. When he encountered difficulties in crossing the river, he did not go home to ask its mother, but tried it by himself, conveying to children the spirit of not giving up easily and exploring ways to overcome difficulties.

If you give Tom a cookie

This story follows a chain of events that unfolds when you give Tom a cookie. Each action leads to another, creating a whimsical and slightly chaotic adventure involving milk, spills, funny faces, and ultimately, a return to the beginning.

Max and the Mud

Max and his younger brother Tom discover a muddy puddle in their backyard and can't resist jumping in. As they get messier and messier, their mom comes out to find them, leading to a playful solution to their muddy fun. A warm and humorous tale for early readers.

The Big Van

A simple and repetitive story about various characters and animals sitting in a big van, leading to a humorous conclusion where Dad and Mom get mad, but ultimately, the van is fun.

The Big Box

Max and his friends find endless fun and adventure in a simple big box, turning it into a car for imaginative play. This story highlights creativity and friendship among young children.

Should I Share My Ice Cream？

Tom gets a big, yummy ice cream but struggles with the idea of sharing it. After some thought, he decides to share with Max, but discovers his ice cream has melted. This simple story explores themes of sharing, friendship, and quick decisions for young readers.

Listen to the Ending Sounds! (d, f)

A simple and sweet story for young children, following a child's day from fishing with dad to dreaming of an elf, with a focus on word recognition and rhyming sounds.

Tom Says Please

A short, simple story about Tom learning the importance of saying 'please' when asking for things. Perfect for teaching basic manners to young children.