Water Stories: From Around the World
What’s inside...
A theme important for our times. This timely collection retells stories from mythology and folklore to focus on the need to protect, conserve and value water. Together with interesting facts and a timeline from earliest times, it makes a creative plea to readers of all ages to treat water, and, by extension, all life, with respect. The stories draw upon the oral traditions of the Ivory Coast, China, India, Greece, Australia, North America, Spain, Nigeria, Botswana and places beyond names to reflect upon an intrinsic connection between humans and water. Pictures inspired by the rich, visual representations of water across cultures, and interesting facts with a timeline from earliest times are included. The book has also been recognized with the Excellence in Book Production Award by the Federation of Indian Publishers.
Discussion points
What did you learn about how different cultures use and respect water?
Which water story was your favorite and why?
How do you think we can help conserve water after reading these stories?
What would you do if you lived near one of the water sources mentioned in the book?
How do you feel about the importance of water in our daily lives?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the stories to their own experiences with water, be it at home, school, or in nature.
Discuss the moral and ethical aspects of the stories, focusing on why it’s important to conserve and respect water resources.
Use a world map to locate the different places mentioned in the stories, enhancing geographical knowledge along with literary discussion.
After reading the book, engage in a water-related activity together, like visiting a local river or even experimenting with water conservation methods at home.
Ask your child to imagine and narrate their own water story, fostering creativity and reinforcing the themes of the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of water conservation
Explanation: Through various tales, children learn about the diverse ways communities around the world value and use water.
Real-World Application: Children can practice turning off the tap while brushing teeth or learn to recycle water for different household uses.
Example Lesson: Cultural appreciation and diversity
Explanation: Stories from different parts of the world highlight unique water-related customs and traditions.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to learn about and respect different cultural practices, promoting open-mindedness and acceptance.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and community involvement
Explanation: Characters in the stories often come together to solve water scarcity issues, demonstrating the power of collective effort.
Real-World Application: Children can participate in community clean-ups or water-saving initiatives, learning the value of working together towards a common goal.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Each story presents a problem associated with water that the characters must solve, fostering critical thinking.
Real-World Application: Children can apply similar problem-solving approaches when faced with challenges in their own lives, whether at school or at home.
Example Lesson: Environmental stewardship
Explanation: The narrative emphasizes the role humans play in protecting water sources and the environment.
Real-World Application: Children can engage in activities like planting trees or learning more about sustainable living practices.