A Multi-Media Experience

Picture Book: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Authors: William Kamkwamba

Illustrator: Elizabeth Zunon

Summary: This is a true story of 14 year old William, whose village in Malawi suffers a crippling drought. It begins with an explanation that William's village is a farming community with no electricity for lights or irrigation. 

But William loves the dark because he can dream of building things from scraps he collects. He does build many things.  

William works in the fields and attends school when his family can afford the fees. 

As the burning sun and lack of ran burns fields to dust,  

William's family has no fees for school.

One meal a day is all they can afford. Others in their village have even less.   

William is a determined learner so he goes to the village library and reads science books, but they are in English. Thanks to an English dictionary, William feeds his desire for learning. 

When he sees a book about how a windmill can produce electricity, creating light and pumping water, 

 

William imagines the good such a machine can bring his family and village. 

He is determined to build the "electric wheel" with the scraps he finds. Others think he's crazy, 

but his friends soon want to help. 

The windmill is built, 

and electricity is generated, but "Light could not fill empty bellies" so a water pump is built next. 

Later, other windmills are built, once the community sees the "magic" of William's inventions and their power to feed their community and their entire country. 

Hanna’s Comments: Picture books are great resources for all ages, but when you can supplement them with other media experience such as video, the learning will be even more meaningful. I was thrilled to learn that there is a new Netflix film based on this story. It stars Chiwetel Ejiofor from the movie 12 Years a Slave. I watched and was very pleased by how closely it corresponds to this book. It was beautifully done, but some death scenes and violence are present so be sure to preview with your audience in mind. Other versions of this story are available as well, one a chapter book for children, another is appropriate for teens and adults, and you'll find a book about William in a series for elementary-aged students called Remarkable Lives Revealed. This last book would likely have many photographs. For both the film and the picture book, you'll need to address the meaning behind the mystical costumed figures. These are ghost dancers, an aspect of William's culture that gives him inspiration and comfort. The power of this story is multi-faceted. Themes such as vocation (William has a scientific mind he seems called to use) and science vs magic vs faith are rich subjects for conversation with teens and young adults in your churches. You can also focus on the wind as a metaphor for God’s power, God’s inspiration, or The Holy Spirit which is inside William giving him agency to change his family’s (and community’s) quality of life. The movie ends with this line: God is as the wind which touches everything. I recently heard a news story about solar panels decreasing in cost and being used all over Africa. More modern versions of evolving tech or updates on William might be included in your program. Anytime you can challenge your audience, no matter their age, to connect their faith with current events, especially global issues, then you’ve added great meaning and potential for spiritual growth.

Original Publisher & Date: Scholastic, 2012

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 6 and up, 1^st and up

Formats other than Book: None at present but the other books are available in other formats.

Scripture Connections: Scriptures about wind such as the story of Pentecost in Acts 2, scriptures of prophets leading their communities such as those of Elijah, and Bible stories about young leaders such as in the story of David & Goliath

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of teens and explore the themes above. Beforehand, invite the teens to watch the Netflix movie or watch it together. 

Water, Come Closer!

Picture Book: The Water Princess

Author: Susan Verde

Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds

Summary: This story is based on the childhood experiences of Georgie Badiel, fashion model born in Burkina Faso.

A young African girl, Gie Gie, who is called Princess by her parents, longs for the ability to summon water. 

Despite her dancing, contorting, and pleas for the water to come closer, no water comes. 

Instead, every morning she reluctantly gets out of bed 

and walks with her mother a very long way to get water. 

Half way there, they stop for some nuts under a gorgeous tree. Upon arrival, she plays with her friends, while her mother stands in line. When they fill their containers, they can’t drink the water because it is dirty.

Finally, heavy pots are placed on their heads for the long and careful trek back. Once home, the water is boiled. Then Gie Gie gulps a refreshing and energizing drink of water. 

When her beloved father returns from the fields, their evening meal has been cooked thanks to the water they gathered. 

Later, clothes and body are washed so that Gie Gie can delight in her cleanliness. 

Dreading the next early morning rise to walk for water, Gie Gie asks her mother why getting water is so hard. 

Her mother replies, “Someday you will find a way, my Princess. Someday.”

Hanna’s Comments: Perhaps through her success and in collaboration with a charity called Ryan’s Well, Georgie Badiel has fulfilled her mother’s prophesy. Badiel is finding a way to bring water to the drought-ridden villages of her home country. 

More details and photos are found in the back along with links to Ryan’s Well and the Georgie Badiel Foundation who are working together to encourage better access to clean water in Burkina Faso and beyond. 

This book reminds me of another PBT offering that you might like as well. Find my post about Come On Rain! by Karen Hesse [here].

Original Publisher & Date: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2016

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 5 and up, K and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: They shall not hunger or thirst…, for one who has pity on them will lead them by springs of water (Isaiah 49:10); Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (Matthew 5:6); Whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of water will not lose a reward (Matthew 10:42); Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children, youth, or adults who are learning about issues of access to clean water, activists who improve access to water, “thirsting for righteousness” through activism, or Biblical concepts of prophesy and vocation. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 331

Picture Book: A Bucket of Blessings

Author: Kabir Sehgal & Surishtha Sehgal

Illustrator: Jing Jing Tsong

Summary:  Due to drought, the village well and pond have gone dry so the animals are suffering as they look for water. Monkey remembers a story about how peacock dancing can bring on rain. He climbs the mountain to request this of Peacock, but Peacock needs some water to make it rain. Monkey continues searching for water. In a cave, he finds a hidden spring. He fills a bucket, but he doesn’t realize it leaks. As Monkey climbs to Peacock, he is greeted by animals who are excited about the water he has found. They do not tell him of the leak, but they enjoy the water trail he leaves behind. Upon reaching Peacock, Monkey is surprised and disappointed to see that the bucket is almost empty. “This leaky bucket is cursed!” he says. Peacock tells him to look behind him. Monkey sees that the water has transformed the path he has trod. Peacock believes that if Monkey can make flowers bloom with just a few drops, then a rain dance just might work. Monkey pours the drops of water on Peacock’s head. Peacock dances. Monkey hopes. Then clouds form and rain begins to fall. Peacock exclaims, “That leaky bucket of yours… it was a blessing to us all!”

Hanna’s Comments: I have heard the heart of this story used in a few sermons. It is a powerful message about the positive effects we can have even when we are broken and unaware of our influences. It is also a story of perseverance and hope that can be connected to many of our Holy Scriptures. In the back you’ll find an Afterward by Dr. Maya Angelou who states that in this book, “The reader is shown that it is a blessing to be a blessing.” In the Authors’ Note the symbolism of the peacock in India and Hindu mythology is explained. Below I connected this story to 2 Old Testament stories and the concept of baptism. I also thought of the story of Philip and the Ethiopian. One potentially powerful aspect of the Ethiopian story is that tradition holds (It may not be true but the story has been passed down over the centuries.) that the Ethiopian did take Christianity back to his home country where it flourished. It is fact that the Christian Church was established in Ethiopia relatively early, and the Ethiopian Christian Church’s official origin is grounded in this ancient story.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Beach Lane Books, 2014

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present 

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Fresh off the Press, Traditional Tale

PBT Topics this Book connects with: action, Asia, baptism/cleanliness/washing, blessings, challenges, dance/dancing, difficulties, drink/thirst, drought, flowers/leaves/trees, found, goodness, harvest, helping, hope,  journeys/migrations/pilgrimages/quests, labor/work, legacies, legends/myths, miracles, perseverance, rain, survival, transformation, water, weather

Scripture Connections: Manna given to the Israelites in the desert (Exodus 16); Moses strikes a rock for water (Exodus 17:6); Philip transforms the life of the Ethiopian with scripture and baptism (Acts 8:26-39); the concept of baptism

Idea(s) for Application: Read this story to a group of children in a lesson about the concept of being blessed to be a blessing or the transformation that water can bring. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 255

Picture Book: Hope Springs

Author: Eric Walters

Illustrator: Eugenie Fernandes

Summary: Boniface is a young orphan boy in Kenya who leads a group of younger orphans to gather water down at the small spring shared by the entire drought-ridden village, a spring that is simply drops of water, seeping from rocks into a muddy puddle. Because the orphans are new to the area, the children are forced to leave without water. The adults give this reason: “You may live here, but you are not from here. This is our water for our families.” When they return, Henry, Boniface’s houseparent, explains that they were not welcome to get water because the villagers are afraid their own families will not have water. The spring could dry up anytime. Meanwhile, through donations to the orphanage, a well is being built next to the orphanage. When the orphanage’s well is successfully dug, Boniface suggests that the well-digging equipment be used to build a well in the valley for the villagers. Henry agrees as long as the villagers provide the labor. The village well is successfully built and named Hope Springs. The book ends with these words: “And there was enough water – and enough kindness - for all.”  

Hanna’s Comments: My favorite line in this inspiring true story is Boniface’s response to his Henry’s surprise that the boy wants to help those who turned him away. “We are not desperate… so perhaps we can be kind. I know that when you give water, you give life.” If only more people could overcome fear and scarcity with such generosity! On my PBT blog, I use the non-fiction category more loosely than you would find in a library. If a picture book is based on a true story, I categorize it as non-fiction. is an example. It’s unlikely you’ll find it in the non-fiction section of your library. Look in the fiction section. In the back of the book, you’ll see The Story Behind the Story which includes a map and photographs of the characters and places in the story, including the built wells. You may want to learn more about the author’s philanthropic endeavors for orphans in Kenya at www.creationofhope.com.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Tundra Books, 2014

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 6 and up, 1^st and up

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present, but there is a 15 minute TEDx video on Youtube.com of the author talking about his experiences in Kenya.

PBT Category: Fresh off the Press, Non-fiction

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: action, Africa, anxiety/worry, babies/children, blessings, body of Christ, challenges, community, dependence/interdependence, discord, drink/thirst, drought, fear, forgiveness/mercy/redemption, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, goodness, grace, helping, hope, insecurity, intolerance, labor/work, land/mountains/soil, leadership/servant leadership, neighbors, orphans, outreach, partners/teamwork, problems/problem solving, sharing, survival, water, wisdom

Scripture Connections:  You shall treat the stranger as the native among you and you shall love him as yourself (Leviticus 19:34); and a little child will lead them (Isaiah 11:6); blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled (Matthew 5:6); when did we see you a stranger and welcome you… Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are my family, you did it to me. (Matthew 25:35-40)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book with children or youth when talking about scarcity of water in many places in the world or overcoming selfishness and fear with generosity.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 142

Picture Book: Come On Rain!

Author: Karen Hesse

Illustrator: Jon J. Muth

Summary: On a sweltering day in the city, Tessie is hoping for rain. She sees clouds and smells a hint of a storm coming. Her mother weeds her sagging garden complaining of 3 weeks with no rain. Tessie convinces her friends to put on bathing suits and come outside. Eventually, Tessie’s hopes are realized for the sudden rainstorm does come, and the girls are waiting and ready. Soon the delight of the rain compels their mothers to join them, barefooted and barelegged. It’s an inter-generational dance celebrating the magnificent transformation of the city in a matter of moments.

Hanna’s Comments: This picture book is full of promise for scriptural connections. In this story you have a drought, a long hopeful wait, a prophet who acts on her beliefs by putting on a bathing suit and compelling others to do the same, the joy that comes when hopes (prayers) are realized, and the transformation of behavior and even relationships when their joy is expressed and shared.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Scholastic, 1999

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Audible

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: adoration, celebration/party, community, dance/dancing, drought, gratitude/thankfulness/thanksgiving, hope, joy, neighbors, neighborhood, prayer, prophesy/prophets, rain, renewal/restoration, transformation, unity, water, weather, worship

Scripture Connections: Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book to help children understand how being a prophet is related to hope in God and faith in God’s ways. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 35

Picture Book: The Water Hole

Author & Illustrator: Graeme Base

Summary: This book is a journey across the globe. Various animals from different continents come to 1 water hole which gets smaller & smaller. The tale progresses on many levels. The depiction of the drought is startling, but the image of rain that follows is beautiful. Look for the world map & the fun frogs. Also, the margins have silhouettes of animals which are fun for identifying as you read.

Hanna’s Comments: This is such an interactive & fun book! It’s not just a counting book. Besides the story, it offers a puzzle and some subtle geography lessons. The story also evokes environmental concerns as well as ending with a peaceable kingdom image. Having multiple copies would be beneficial since the illustrations add to the enjoyment of this book.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Harry N. Abrams, 2001

Age and Grade Appropriateness: 7 and up, 2nd and up

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present 

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: Africa, animals, Asia, Australia, bonds/connections/connectedness, care of creation, change, creation, dependence/interdependence, desert, difficulties, diversity, drink/thirst, drought, Earth/world, the environment/nature, Europe, geography, gratitude/thankfulness/thanksgiving, insecurity, North America, rain, renewal/restoration, sharing, survival, time/timing/over time, transformation, variety, water, wilderness

Scripture Connections: God creates animals (Genesis 1:21); the Peaceable Kingdom (Isaiah 65:25)

Idea(s) for Application: a lesson at a homeschool or private school when discussing God’s creation, the animal kingdom, or environmental concerns particularly water conservation