By Tyler M.

Author, Jan Cheripko visited Read Memorial Library in Hancock, NY, August  13 to talk to young people about his book, Voices on the River: Adventures of the Delaware.             

Voices on the River is a picture book about the ten day journey he and family friend, 14-year-old Matt Smith, took down the Delaware River in 1992.

Hancock is located at the headwaters of the Delaware River. From there it gains volume as it flows all the way to Philadelphia and into the Atlantic Ocean.  Cheripko and Smith made the 215-mile journey over the course of ten days. The pair saw many different parts of the river including class I, II, and III rapids; historic sites and monuments; and a variety of wildlife. “At one point, we were paddling next to cargo ships,” said Cheripko.

The Delaware River is a focal point and source of pride for the Hancock Community—opportunities for fishing, kayaking, canoeing and camping about the area. Many of the children shared personal stories and memories of how their childhood consists of playing on the river. “My house is on the Delaware River and me and my family like to play there on the weekend,” said one elementary student.

Cheripko is the author of Rat, Imitate The Tiger, and sun moon stars rain — books that deal with personal experience turned into valuable lessons for his young audience.