REVIEWS
THE WATER WALKER Written and illustrated by Joanne Robertson Second Story Press, 2017 36 pages, $16.95 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Reviewed by Karen Andrew
The Water Walker is a picture book that tells the true-life story of Nokomis Josephine Man- damin, an Ojibwa grandmother. With its co- lourful illustrations, the reader is drawn into the tale of Nokomis and her quest to protect Nibi (water) for future generations. Robertson details where Nokomis’ passion for protecting Nibi originates and describes the walking cam- paign she began with the Mother Earth Water Walkers to bring awareness to the water crisis of the Earth. The book further captivates the reader by including Ojibwe words throughout along with a picture glossary at the end with pronunciations and meanings. Adding to the uniqueness of the book and the powerful story is a more detailed biography of Nokomis as well as more information about the Mother Earth Water Walkers. With its rich story and powerful message,
many relevant curriculum connections can be made. The book is suitable as a read-aloud for younger grades (K-2) and facilitates conversa- tions that ask students: “What is something you love? What would you do to protect it?” Connections can be personal or they can en- courage thoughtful discussion about water preservation, tying into different science cur-
Trash Revolution uses colourful and lively il- lustrations, diagrams, charts, infographics and sidebars to engage readers as they learn about all the “stuff” that surrounds us and how it is part of the waste cycle. Using the items stu- dents might carry in a backpack (water, food, clothing, paper, electronics) this book explores the many ways we can reduce, reuse and re- cycle waste. The book begins with the reusable water
TRASH REVOLUTION: BREAKING THE WASTE CYCLE Erica Fyvie, illustrated by Bill Slavic Kids Can Press, 2018 64 pages, $19.99 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Reviewed by Jane Ranson
bottle found in a backpack. We learn where the water bottle began, what happened along the way and where it ends. The next section focuses on food consumption and waste and why we should eat sustainably. We even learn about the water and carbon footprints of our lunches. The way we produce and consume our food can help protect and support the environ- ment. We then learn how clothing is produced and the impact of “fast fashion” on our envi- ronment. On other pages, we follow the paper trail and find out what deforestation is doing to our world. We learn how plastic is made and the impact this has on our environment. As we read about electronics we are encouraged to resist upgrading if we don’t need to. Through- out the book there are charts labeled “Supply &
riculums such as the Grade 2 unit related to air and water. In addition to being suitable for younger
grades, it can also be used in upper primary, lower junior or even the classrooms of older students depending on the curriculum being covered at the time. One of the most important messages in the book ties perfectly into a topic that is being discussed in many classrooms at all grade levels – what can you do to make a difference in the world? Perfectly linked to the design thinking and inquiry process, this book can be used as a starting point to get students working on inquiry projects related to water preservation, protecting the environment or even a rich discussion about the 7th Genera- tion Principle. Although the story is a clear and easy read,
its message is anything but. The story of No- komis will resonate with many students and the rich question it ends with – “What are you going to do about it?” – can spark a world of possibilities to motivate students to make a dif- ference in their own lives.
Karen Andrew is a member of the Elementary Teach- ers of Toronto.
Demand.” They show the reasons people want certain products, how they get them and waste solutions now and in the future. The many facts are likely to make readers think again about the impact their everyday decisions have on the environment. Students in junior grades and up would en-
joy this book on their own, as part of a lesson or as research for a project. It could be used to start discussions about our environment and how we can work to make a difference. This book supports the teaching of the Conserva- tion of Energy and Resources science curricu- lum for Grade 5. It supports the Grade 6 Un- derstanding Matter and Energy unit. It’s a great book to use when teaching graphic and infor- mational text as part of the literacy curriculum and it supports the People and Environment strand of the social studies curriculum. I highly recommend this book as a way
to engage students in learning about the im- mediate and long-term effects of energy and resource use on society and the environment.
Jane Ranson is a member of the Limestone Teacher Local.
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