The Water Princess

tells the story of the scarcity of water throughout much of the world.

Based on a true story of Georgie Badiel, this sumptuously illustrated picture book tells the story of young African Child. “I am Princess Gie Gie. My kingdom….the African sky, so ide and so close, I can almost touch the sharp edges of the stars. I can tame the wild dogs with my song. I can make

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the tall grass sway when I dance.” What she cannot do is make the water closer, and each day is a long trek, from sun up to sun down, through the hot desert to collect water for drinking, cooking, and bathing. Beautifully lyrical language accompanied by equally lyrical earth-toned images lets readers see the hardships that so many people in the world face just to have a basic source of life: water. An afterword implores readers to think about that: “Imagine your life without water. No kitchen faucet to fill your glass when you are thirsty…” With the help of her community and Ryan’s Well, Georgie is working to make a difference.

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This was a great read. For my purposes, I don't think it would be a great fit for a young children's storytime, because I'm not sure that they'd get the impact of the story, but it would probably be great for kindergarteners on up, especially if they have time to talk about the issue and understand

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that there are really kids and families in the world who have to make this journey to get water every day. Great book to read to introduce kids to the way other people live in the world and some of the challenges that they face. And I like that there was an explanation at the end about how to get more involved and what the Georgie Badiel Foundation is doing to try to provide people with access to clean water.

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This book could really open student's eyes to problems that people face around the world, and how fortunate so many of us are to have clean drinking water at our disposal.

The illustrations are breathtaking. The story is a good example of keeping a positive attitude and could open up discussions on difference in cultures

This was a great read. For my purposes, I don't think it would be a great fit for a young children's storytime, because I'm not sure that they'd get the impact of the story, but it would probably be great for kindergarteners on up, especially if they have time to talk about the issue and understand

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that there are really kids and families in the world who have to make this journey to get water every day. Great book to read to introduce kids to the way other people live in the world and some of the challenges that they face. And I like that there was an explanation at the end about how to get more involved and what the Georgie Badiel Foundation is doing to try to provide people with access to clean water.

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This is a new favorite. The illustrations carry me to the dusty African landscape of Gie Gie's home. I ache with thirst as she does, surrounded by the myriad of dry, hot browns and yellows. I love the choice of text font, as it seems to personify Gie Gie's voice perfectly. Despite her hardships,

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she has the love of her father and mother and the company of her mid-day friends and her wonderful imagination. This is a beautiful book to introduce children to the plight of other children around the world and have them interested in knowing how to connect with and help others. The end of the story includes an author's note about the real "Gie Gie" and the foundation she started to provide clean, fresh drinking water to rural and remote villages. This book would also be helpful for young children to gain perspective on the wider world versus their own.

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This picture book is talks about the reality of the shortage of clean water in Africa. Talks about the routine of a young girl that needs to get up very early morning to a long journey to be able to have clean water at home.

This story is based on the childhood of the high-fashion model Georgie Badiel, “Gie Gie,” who was born in Burkina Faso.

As a young girl, Gie Gie, along with the other girls and women of her grandmother’s village, walked every single day for miles to fill up pots with water, which they carried

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back home on their heads. No matter how hard she wished, she couldn't change that reality.

The next morning, they had to start out again. But Gie Gie’s mother tells her when she goes to sleep at night, she should dream of finding another way. And we know she grows up to do just that.

The author reports in an Afterword:

"In Burkina Faso alone, nearly a quarter of the population has no access to clean water. Both illnesses from contaminated water and the time it takes to collect water every day prevent many children from going to school. The walk itself is on average four miles each day . . . !”

Today, Georgie Badiel has a non-profit foundation to help bring clean drinking water to the people of Africa. The organization also builds sanitation facilities and plants trees. On the Foundation website she writes: Don’t waste your time and money trying to emacipate a women or educate a girl who do [sic] not have access to clean drinking water. Your effort will be useless. Water is first.”

I loved the stunning illustrations by Peter H. Reynolds. His palette is perfect for depicting the hot, dry landscape. And yet, amidst the sere background, the faces of the characters are expressive and beautiful.

Evaluation: This book provides a beautiful means to teach children in the West that not all children are as fortunate as they, and that there is much work to be done. The Foundation reports that the desperately poor nation of Burkina Faso has more than 17 million people, but water and sanitation are a luxury to most: The British trust WaterAid estimates that at least 6,000 children under five die each year from the lack of these basic necessities.

As the author and illustrator write at the end of the book, “We hope this story brings awareness to the ongoing crisis and inspires you to be a part of the change.”

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Sweet and a little funny, I loved the main character here. And the after-notes were really useful!

This was a great read. For my purposes, I don't think it would be a great fit for a young children's storytime, because I'm not sure that they'd get the impact of the story, but it would probably be great for kindergarteners on up, especially if they have time to talk about the issue and understand

Show More

that there are really kids and families in the world who have to make this journey to get water every day. Great book to read to introduce kids to the way other people live in the world and some of the challenges that they face. And I like that there was an explanation at the end about how to get more involved and what the Georgie Badiel Foundation is doing to try to provide people with access to clean water.

Show Less