Over the weekend, I read Nancy Bo Flood’s new book, Water Runs Through This Book (Fulcrum Publishing, 2015). What a cool genre mash-up about one of my favorite topics–water!
This book is packed full of facts, photos, ponderings, poetry, quotations, questions, and wonder. It’s perfect for upper elementary and middle school students, but you could also share a lot of excerpts from it with your primary students.
Nancy’s writing is full of passion for both the huge topic of water conservation and the specific, lush details that bring to life water’s impact on the world. Here, she describes a spadefoot toad after a desert rain:
“Every male toad is calling, a seesaw baritone refrain, a symphony of rain song, of life song. Find a mate; lay eggs. Within a few weeks tiny tadpoles wiggle out and transform quickly into toads.”
And here, she makes a connection kids might not have thought about before:
“A lot of water is necessary to manufacture ‘things,’ such as the shirt you are wearing. That shirt? About 700 gallons. Those new shoes? At least 2,000 gallons. The more stuff we buy, the more water is used to make more stuff.”
Want to add this lovely book to your study of water? Nancy has kindly sent me two copies to give away! Just enter here to win one of the two copies.
The contest goes all week–if you don’t win, you can find the book at an indie bookseller on Indiebound or through Amazon. This Friday, I’ll share a poem from the book, too, and don’t miss Nancy’s recent online roundup of picture books about water–all of which would make lovely pairings or bookalikes for Water Runs Through This Book.
Don’t forget to visit the Nonfiction Monday Roundup for more great books!
Teaching all grades in gifted elementary, I am constantly on the look out for books like this. My students would love it. Thanks for the offer.
Good luck, Margaret–thanks for sharing:)
This would be a great share with my 4th grade students and my young son. I can always share the photos and poems and pair them with more nformation to make additional connections. It is also great companion to “I know the River Loves Me” by Maya Gonzalez.
Good luck, Nadine!
Looks like a wonderful nonfiction book to study for craft. Thanks!
Good luck, Susan!
Looks to be a wonderful book! I love how it crosses genres.
It is, Michelle!
Thanks for pointing out this book! I would enjoy it (briefly!) at home and then pass to my sister-in-law for her first grade classroom. 🙂
Good luck, Wendy!
So many great water books this year! Would love to use it with fourth grade during the spring ocean curriculum.
Yes–many lovely ones! I’m just re-reading ALL THE WATER IN THE WORLD and finally got my hands on WATER IS WATER!
So glad to see you spreading the word on Nancy’s wonderful book! I love this book and hope everyone gets a chance to read it. I won’t be in the drawing as I have it. Thanks for the post.
I will use it to inspire my own writing.
:>)
This book sounds wonderful and creative and well worth sharing.
It is! Good luck!
Thanks for sharing this title. I was not familiar with it. If my library (Chicago) doesn’t have it, I will ask them to get it, if I win or not!
Wonderful! Thanks:>)
This book sounds like an excellent resource for learning about water and water conservation in a variety of writing pieces. AWESOME!!
Yes, it is! Good luck, Ann:>)
Looks terrific. Should I win, I will gift this to either our science teacher or my daughter-in-law….have to check the curriculum. How generous of Nancy and you!!
Good luck, Janet!
This looks like a really fun book!
Looks like a great book. I love water in all its many forms, rivers, ponds, lakes, ocean, clouds, rain and even mist on my cheeks. And where would we be without our aquifers? If I win the book, I will treasure it. Cheers, Brenda
Treasuring is a lovely plan. Good luck!
Thanks! What fun these contests are.