The Water Princess - Susan Verde - ★★★★★

AUTHOR: Susan Verde

ILLUSTRATOR: Peter H. Reynolds

GENRE: Children's Picture Book

PUBLICATION DATE: September 13, 2016

RATING: 5 unhesitant stars!

In a Nutshell: A touching picture book about the water scarcity issue affecting so many children around the world but especially in Africa and Asia. Excellent writing, message, and illustrations. Informative back matter. A must-read.

Plot Preview:

“Princess Gie Gie”, our young lead character, knows she rules over the wide African sky and the vast land. But the one thing that doesn’t listen to this princess is water. No matter how much she tries commanding water to come closer to her home, it doesn’t. So she is forced to wake up early every morning and walk many miles along with her mother to carry a pot of water back home. Sadly, this water lasts just a day, so the cycle has to repeat every day. Gie Gie dreams of the time when water will finally listen to her and be more accessible from home, but can such a dream come true?

This story is partly inspired by the childhood experiences of Georgie Badiel, a Burkinabé supermodel and activist, who had to walk for water with her grandmother.

I don’t need to work hard to sell this story to you. It reflects the reality of many young children around the world, living in a situation that has grown only more dire with the worsening climate. I hope it makes young readers realise that even basic essentials such as clean water are luxuries in some parts of the world. All adults who take their running taps for granted should also read such stories to understand their privilege and learn the importance of water conservation and recycling.

Gie Gie is an outstanding character. I loved her wild imagination and spunky spirit. But most of all, I love how, despite not being happy about her early morning trudge for water, she accompanies her mother without tantrums. There are many traits in her that can be inspirational for little readers.

Despite the sadness of the storyline, the dominant emotion is still one of hope. I am amazed at how successfully the author balanced this delicate situation. A children’s picture book cannot afford to be too depressing or upsetting, and she hits just the right mark without making the story overly disturbing for little ones. Perhaps it helps that this isn't presented as a nonfiction story; we get to see Gie Gie be a regular playful and imaginative child except in her struggles to get water.

The illustrations for this beautiful story are equally stunning. The fabulous African landscape almost comes to life under the brushstrokes of the outstanding Peter H. Reynolds. There is a strong earthy warmth to the colours, making the arid landscape feel very real. I love the way Gie Gie is sketched, right from her corn rows to her sleepy eyes in the morning to her joy when she is playing. Her expressions are also beautifully drawn.

The book ends with a parting note containing several hardhitting facts about the water shortage in Africa. It also mentions Georgie Badiel’s efforts to bring water to the people of Burkina Faso and how we can contribute towards the same. I love that this section contain actual photographs – they make a far better impact than illustrations.

All in all, this is one heck of a picture book that delivers a power-packed punch on all aspects that matter: story, message, and illustrations. It ought to be a must-read in all classrooms for discussions on water supply, water conservation, climate change, poverty, and privilege.

Definitely and heartily recommended. This would be perfect for children aged 5-8 years.

You can visit THIS YOUTUBE LINK to watch Georgie Badiel narrate this book.

Another book that tackles a similar topic is Linda Sue Park’s ‘A Long Walk to Water’. Also based on true events, Park’s novel is a must-read for teens.