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Beautifully illustrated, Water Is Water will awaken wonder at the way God designed something we take for granted.
*Water is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Jason Chin. Roaring Brook Press, 2015. 40 pages.
- Reading Level: Picture books, ages 4-8
- Recommended For: Ages 0-10
Most books about the water cycle show the classic diagram of ocean/lake, clouds, and land, using technical terms such as evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. In contrast, Water is Water offers a simple, lyrical text that describes what happens to the water in a drinking cup as it travels through the entire water cycle–ending with the juice from an apple. For example,
Clouds are clouds unless… they form low.
Misty. Twisty. Where is the town? Fog is fog unless…it falls down.
Patter. Splatter. What is that sound? Rain is rain unless…
Marvelous watercolor illustrations depict a brother and sister drinking, riding a school bus, playing in the mud, having a snowball fight, and, finally, drinking apple cider. Each season subtly blends into the next visually even as the text draws the reader onto the next phase in the water cycle. End matter includes more scientific terminology and information. What a marvelously intricate water cycle the Lord has put into place!
Considerations: Worldview (1 mention of millions of years in end matter)
*indicates starred review, an example of the best of the best in its field
Bottom Line: This is lovely book to use alongside a study of the water cycle or simply to awaken wonder at the way God designed something we take for granted.
Related Reading at Redeemed Reader (all about water!):
- Review: Water Day by Margarita Engle (looks at reservoirs and other necessary things for water use)
- Review: The Story of Water by Caroline Saunders (looks at water in the Bible)
- Review: Magic in a Drop of Water by Julie Winterbottom (starred review for this picture book biography that shows a woman being a good steward and helping clean water up)
You may purchase Water Is Water from Amazon.
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