Our World of Water

by National Geographic Learning

Wherever we live in this world―whether our country is rich or poor―water is vital to our survival on this planet. This book follows the daily lives of children in Peru,Mauritania, the United States, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Tajikistan, and explores what water means to them.Where does it come from? How do they use it?

With the growing threat of climate change affecting all our lives, this book invites discussion on the ways different countries and cultures value this most precious of our planet's natural resources.

Genres: Nonfiction, Picture Books, Childrens, Geography, Science, Cultural

48 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2009

Reviews

[Skedatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great way to introduce children to the way that others live. Lots of photographs but not too busy.

[Mrs. Ruigrok · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book to teach children about the importance of water around the world. This book introduces us to 6 children from around the world and shows how they use water and what water means to them. An important book to help children realize how important it is to conserve water. We meet children from Tajikistan, Mauritania, Ethiopia, USA, Peru and Bangladesh. A gorgeous book.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our World of Water: Chidlren and Water Around the World, is an amazing picture book which emphasized the extreme importance of clean water in our daily lives. The story looks at six different children from very different parts of the world. Children will be surprised when they read about how many children have to walk far distances to fetch water, and how many children have to go great lengths to be sure that the water is clean and purified before consumption. This book covers a variety of types of environments and climates, and the conditions many families live under, including families of both high and low socioeconomic status. Therefore this book is a great way to expose children to multicultural lifestylers. It could also be used to incorporate a science lesson plan involving rain and/or water supply. This book reminds children how often water is used on a daily basis and therefore relates to the childrens daily lives. The book also covers environmental pollution and the ways people conserve freshwater resources. The end of the book book also inclues facts entitled, "What to Know About Water," which allows children to internalize factual information regarding clean water supply and usage. The author highlights the importance of water by early on in the book by stating, "We forget what a miracle water is. We forget that it supports everything that lives- humans, animals, plants; the sea, the rivers, the mountains; the atmosphere,the air." Beatrice Hollyer also uses many colorful and real images from a variety of countries which illsutraes the hardships some children may face when trying to gain access to clean water. This story is factual and enticing, and includes vital information children must be exposed to in order to develop multicultural competence.

[Terri Van Loon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book completely changed the way I view water and made me think twice about how I use it. The book follows several children that live in different places all over the world. It describes how these children get and use water, which is a scarcity for most of them. Living in the U.S. it's easy to take advantage of our water supplies. This book raises awareness about the value of water and gives ideas as to how to preserve it. After reading this book, I found myself turning off my water faucet quicker and doing larger loads of laundry. These are valuable lessons for adults as well as children!

[Victoria Becker]

Our World of Water:Children and Water Around the World is a lexile level 890 which converts to a reading level S. In my 5th grade classroom the target reading level is T, U and V at the end of the year.Although S is below grade level because some of my students come in reading below grade level I would offer guidance while they read this book and not have it be a completely independent read. This book can easily be connected to the human rights that are studied in module 1 of the common core in 5th grade. It is an informational text.
NYS Standard Students Will: Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how this book looks at six different cultures from around the world and how they use water. For each culture, a child is followed around to see how they use water during a typical day. The text is just enough to explain the situation without inundating the reader with facts or the science behind it. The pictures are bright, very compelling, and serve to further the depth of the text for kids.

[Amelia P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book because it shows people and how they get water. They all get water in different ways. My favorite part was learning about a girl from the USA, that lived close to me. I was surprised to learn about how people in Africa get their water. They have to walk 3 hours each way just to get their water.

[Holly Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will be a great book to share with my classes since we just finished A Long Walk to Water. The great photographs and information about children in various countries and their relationships with water are interesting and eye-opening. It's fascinating to see how people around the world live and survive.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book to share with my 7 year old. We enjoyed learning about children around the world, and how water impacts their day; from grabbing a bottle of water from the pantry, to walking 3 hours a day to the nearest water hole.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good choice to share with kids during the summer reading program this year. Water is something we all need, but it impacts us in different ways.

[Marge]

children and water around the world -

[Phoebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important book to share with children in this country, as it explores how families in six different countries use, preserve, and value water. Lovely photography.

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: non-fiction informational
Copyright: 2009
Thoughts: Good information, neat profiles of kids around the world.

[Isabella García · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it in spanish. I liked it