The Water Princess

In a stirring, thought-provoking story based on the childhood of model Georgie Badiel in Burkina Faso, Verde and Reynolds follow a girl and her mother as they retrieve water for the family's use. Reynolds (whose previous books with Verde include I Am Yoga and The Museum) uses sumptuous violets and golds for the expansive African night sky and grassy plains—both of which young Gie Gie, a self-described princess with a wiry physique and beads in her braided hair, considers to be her domain. Gie Gie claims she can "tame the wild dogs with my song" and "make the wind play hide-and-seek," but summoning clean, readily accessible water is beyond her ability. Verde's poetic language reflects the length and difficulty of Gie Gie and her mother's trek, along with the positive spirit the girl brings to the task. Toward the end, the implicit injustice of the situation is addressed directly: "Maman," Gie Gie asks, "Why is the water so far? Why is the water not clear? Where is our water?" They are questions that readers will want answered, too. Ages 5-8. Agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties. (Sept.)

Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 2—Based on the real childhood experiences of fashion model Georgie Badiel in Burkina Faso, this offering tells one child's story in an unspecified African locale. Princess Gie Gie tries to rule over her domain. She tames wild dogs with a song, makes tall grass dance when she dances, and plays hide-and-seek with the wind. However, try as she might, she can't draw clean water any closer to her home. Instead, the girl and her mother must make a long trek to gather water from the well with the rest of the women. They try to fill their time with music, imagination, and laughter, but the hardship and physical effort are palpable. Despite the daily struggles to get water, Princess Gie Gie never gives up looking for a solution. "I am Princess Gie Gie. My Kingdom? The African sky. The dusty earth. And, someday, the flowing, cool, crystal-clear water. Someday...." Perhaps, someday has now arrived. Badiel is helping to raise awareness and funds to bring clean drinking water to the people of Burkina Faso and other countries in Africa. While the text is informative and poetic, it is the imagery that will stick with readers. Reynolds's evocative watercolor, gouache, and digital ink paintings capture the glow of the hot sun, sparkle in the night sky, and will transport children to Princess Gie Gie's imagined kingdom. Kids will have to look to the author note and elsewhere for more specifics and possible solutions. VERDICT A lovely picture book, filled with messages of perseverance and hope.—Megan Egbert, Meridian Library District, ID

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.