Books
We have curated a list of books aimed at assisting you in teaching your students about water and the pressing water crisis we face today.
Fresh Air, Clean Water
As recommended by the CBC, Fresh Air, Clean Water, written by two BC-based authors, explains the meaning of the right to a healthy environment and features profiles of kids around the world who are fighting for their environmental rights.
Middle grade
Martin and the River
Recommend by the CBC, Martin and the River is the story of a boy who moves to the city and misses his beloved river. Here he finds joy in discovering a water connection in the city Written by an Ontario author.
Ages 3-6
Treaty Words
Recommended by CBC, Treaty Words, For As Long As The Rivers Flow, written by an Indigenous lawyer from Manitoba, tells the story of how a young First Nations child learns as he sits by his beloved river that the first treaty was made between the earth and the sky.
For children of all ages
Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior
From the best-selling American author of We Are Water Protectors comes Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior, the story of Autumn Peltier, who, despite her young years, is the Chief Water Commissioner for her Anishinaabe First Nation on Manitoulin Island and her great aunt, Josephine Mandamin, who founded the Indigenous Great Lakes Water Defenders movement.
Ages 4-8
Water’s Children
Quebec authors and illustrators have written an award-winning book telling the stories of 12 children around the world and how water appears in their environment and what water means to them. It has been translated into 6 languages already.
Ages 4-8
Nibi’s Water Song
Anishinaabe author and Chippewan illustrator team up to tell the story of a brave Indigenous girl who goes searching for clean water because it does not exist in her community and tells the lessons she learns along the way.
Ages 8-12
One Well
A Canadian author and British illustrator teamed up to give us this richly illustrated and popular book that explains how all water is connected, and how important it is to care for it, starting from our taps and wells. Also available as a video on You tube.
Ages 8-12
Hydrate the Earth
A BC author has written a compelling book, arguing that water is forgotten in much analysis and reporting on the climate crisis. By diverting and over-extracting water, humans have interrupted the hydrologic cycle that, in turn, has added to the climate burden. Water protection also plays a crucial part in regenerative agriculture, increasingly understood as the antidote to industrial farming.
For teachers and senior students
Over and Under the Pond
Award winning American author and illustrators have created a magic world of aquatic life under a mountain pond. This book is available as a video on You tube with children reading it.
Ages 5-8
Water Always Wins
A Canadian journalist, Erica Gies, who is also a National Geographic Explorer, has written an important book which explores ways communities around the world are dealing with local water supply issues. From “songs cities” in China to the re-introduction of beavers in North America, Water Always Wins tells us that our tampering with the natural cycles of water is a mistake and that we have to stop taking water for granted. And what to do in an age of drought and deluge, according to journalist Erica Gies.
For teachers and senior students
ENDORSEMENTS
David Suzuki
Scientist and environmentalist
We have to educate everyone that as animals, we need clean air, pure water and rich soil to ensure healthy lives. Nature, not human technology, cleanses and replenishes these critical elements within the hydrologic cycle. As recipients of Nature’s generosity, we all have a responsibility to care for them. Blue Community Schools is an important new teacher-friendly way to educate our kids to care for water and water justice, so they can also educate their parents.
