Water: How We Can Protect Our Freshwater by Catherine Barr – Perfect Picture Book Friday

Water: How We Can Protect Our Freshwater

Catherine Barr, Author

Christiiane Engel, Illustrator

Candlewick Press, Nonfiction, Mar. 21, 2023

Suitable for ages: 5-9

Pages: 32

Themes: Water, Conservation, Protection, Activism, Earth Day

Publisher’s Synopsis:

Water is life. Freshwater bubbles, flows with the most wonderful life on earth, and all of us rely on it to stay alive. It fuels all life on earth. But worldwide pollution and climate change make it increasingly difficult for people and animals to find the clean water they need to survive. It is time to act!

A focused call for action, this lively book narrates the history of our watery earth, succinctly explains the water cycle and the different types of freshwater, and introduces the vast array of living beings that depend on clean water for survival—as well as the devastating impact of water shortages on the lives of children around the world. Packed with facts and specific tips, bright and expansive illustrations, and end matter for further reading, this hopeful challenge inspires young readers to take action, use water wisely, and work together to defend a precious shared resource.

Why I like this book:

This is a beautiful resource book for classroom. It is perfect for upcoming Earth Day, April 22., the 53rd anniversary of this specially observed day. This years theme is “Invest in our Planet,” and I can’t think of anything more important than protecting our freshwater resources. World Water Day was March 22.

Each double-page spread is considered a chapter .Each spread begins with a discussion and ends with a section called “Face the facts.” Catherine Barr leads readers through a discussion about the first water on Earth,, how rare water is, water cycles, and the colors of water. Water is life and it carries power and it’s important to share. However, it is under threat because of pollution. Our water is precious and is it important to use it wisely. I especially like a section on “Girl Power” showing the importance of wells in rural villages around the world freeing girls to attend school. Barr shows readers the many ways they can begin to take action at home, school and in their community.

Christiane Engel’s illustrations are stunning and are a perfect match for the material. Her artwork is lively and busy — so much for children to study. And it energizes readers want to get involved. Make sure you check out the endpapers!

Resources:The entire book is a resource for home and school. Encourage kids to brainstorm together about what they can do at home and school: catch rainwater for watering gardens and only running the dishwasher when it is full. Make a big list and pledge to do some of the things on the list. Journal and write about your observations. Most important, get involved in a climate action group.

Catherine Barr campaigned to protest endangered species with Greenpeace for many years before becoming a children’s book author. She lives with her family in England, where whe writes a wide variety of informative books to spark curiiosity and inspire action to protect the natureal world.

Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.

*Review copy provided by Candlewick in exchange for a review.

Feminist, Social Justice-Themed Board Books for Children

I Want to Be…, Nibi is Water and I am Violet, are part of Second Story Press’s first season releasing feminist, social justice-themed board books for babies and toddlers, ages 0-3 years. The three books explore some amazing and unusual jobs people do; talk about how we use our precious water; and celebrate the color of our skin. Such a wonderful and diverse series of books for little ones! There is simplicity in all three books and they are beautifully illustrated in bright colors that will please toddlers.

I Want to Be…A Gutsy Girls’ ABC

Farida Zarman, Author and Illustrator

Apr. 14, 2020

Synopsis: Filled with diversity and empowerment, little girls will see that they can be anything they want. There are an alphabet of possibilities for when you grow up. Some jobs sound fun — ice sculptor, toymaker, dog handler, kite designer, party planner, and wind farmer. And some jobs sound exciting and important — jockey, aerialist, novelist, sportscaster, oceanographer, and mountain climber. Each fun letter is complimented by an illustration of a girl filled with delight and wonder as she shows us how we can be anything we want to be.

Nibi is Water (Nibi Aawon Nbiish)

Joanne Robertson, Author and Illustrator

Apr. 14, 2020

Synopsis: A first conversation about the importance of nibi (water) told from an Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) perspective. Toddlers will learn about the many forms of water in rain, snow and ice. They use water to drink, bathe, brush their teeth and flush the toilet. They build snowmen in the winter, swim in the pool or canoe on a lake. Nature depends upon water to grow plants, food, and trees. Animals need water to drink and fish swim in water. Our role is to thank, respect, love and protect nibi in our daily activities.

I Am Violet

Tania Duprey Stehlik, Author

Vanja Vuleta Jovanovic, Illustrator

Synopsis: This book celebrates and explores how people come in a rainbow of beautiful colors. A little girl looks around her and sees that some people are blue, some are green, some are red. People in the world come in a rainbow of colours and Violet herself is a wonderful mixture of her mom and dad. Her mom is red, her dad is blue, and, as the little girl declares: “I am proud to be both. I am proud to be me! I am Violet!” Her message of pride and acceptance has been simplified for the youngest among us so it can be shared even earlier.

Resources: All three books are great first discussion books. Parents can help toddlers identify letters associated with amazing gender-neutral jobs; they can talk with them about protecting water and learn dual language words (glossary at the end); and they can help their little ones explore their own skin color and the skin color of others. Encourage children to draw pictures of fun jobs, how they use water, and self/family portraits showing their skin colors in bright colors. Children have big imaginations.

*Review copies provided by the publisher.

The Water Walker by Joanne Robertson

International Women’s Day, Mar. 8 and World Water Day, Mar. 22, 2018

The Water Walker

Joanne Robertson, Author and Illustrator

Second Story Press, Fiction, Sep. 15, 2017

Suitable for Ages: 6-9

Themes: Water Conservation, Environmental Protection, Great Lakes Region, Indigenous Grandmothers, Ojibwa Indians

Opening: Nokomis loved Nibi, and Nibi Loved Nokomis.

Synopsis: The true story of a determined Ojibwe grandmother (Nokomis) Josephine Mandamin and her great love for Nibi (water). Her passion began as a girl when she would hop out of bed in the morning and sing “Gichi miigwech, Nibi, for the life you give to every living thing on Earth. I love you. I respect. you.” She was warned by the wise chief that “the day will come when an ounce of water costs more than an ounce of gold. What are you going to do about it?” Eventually she founded the Mother Earth Walkers.

Nokomis walks to raise awareness of our need to protect Nibi for future generations, and for all life on the planet. Nokomis, along with other women, men, and young people, has walked around all of the Great Lakes from the four salt waters — or oceans — all the way to Lake Superior. During one walk alone, Josephine put almost 4,500,000 footsteps on her sneakers!

Why I like this book:

Joanne Robertson’s book is an important tribute to activist Josephine Mandamin and the many Native women and men who have courageously walked around all of the Great Lakes to bring attention to the condition of our water. Her message is not political, but a simple plea to engage people to protect the water, our most important resource.

Robertson has written an exceptional environmental and conservation story that even young children will understand. The language is lyrical and simply presented. Her detailed and illustrations show Josephine’s spunk and determination. The book is interactive and perfect for classroom discussions. Josephine is a strong woman who demonstrates what true activism really means. Youth will be inspired to know that Josephine is passionate about for protecting water for their generation and many more to come. She is a great role model for International Women’s Day. Many readers will want to join in her cause to protect the planet.

Josephine completed her final walk for water last summer. On April 20, 2017, Josephine, joined and supported by the Mother Earth Water Walkers, started out from Duluth, Minnesota then walked east for 97 days along the Great Lakes, arriving in Matane, Québec on July 27. She traveled over 3,197 miles and put over 6,394,000 footsteps on her sneakers.

Resources: This is an engaging book for World Water Day, Mar. 22, 2018. The book includes a glossary and pronunciation guide for Ojibwe words used in the text. It ends with a note from the author inviting young readers to write a letter to Josephine to tell her all about what they are doing to help protect the environment. Her address is included. This would make an excellent classroom project.

Joanne Robertson is AnishinaabeKwe and a member of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. She received her Fine Arts degree from Algoma University and Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig. She founded the Empty Glass for Water campaign to bring attention to the drinking water crisis in Indigenous communities. She works as a research assistant at the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre and continues to support the water walks. She lives near Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.