Children’s Books About Water & Keeping It Clean

Many of us take clean water for granted. But, some people in the world don’t have clean water to drink. And, sea animals around the world are in danger because of polluted water.  Learn and grow with these children’s books about water with your kids.

Books About Water

One Well The Story of Water on Earth by Rochelle Strauss takes readers on a fascinating look into the water on our planet.

All the Water in the World by George Ella Lyon is a poetic look at how water flows through us all including an introduction to the water cycle. At the end is a plea for us to take care of the water in our world.

A beautiful poetic look at all the forms that water takes on earth is what you’ll find in Water Dance by Thomas Locker.  A closer look at the water cycle is included at the back of the book.

The Drop in My Drink by Meredith Hooper takes us back to the very first drop of water and opens with, “All the water we have is all the water we’ve always had.” We get a great appreciation and respect for the water of the world throughout this book. A good pick for first grade and up.

I love The Water Princess by Susan Verde.  It’s based on a true story of a young girl who dreams of bringing clean water to her community. This is a great explanation of how some villages in the world do not have clean water and have to work to get water on a daily basis.

Hope Springs by Eric Walter is a story of fear and hope.  It highlights the fact that many people in the world fear there will not be enough water for them to survive.  This story is sure to strike some amazing conversations with the children.

A Thirst for Home by Christine Ieronimo is the story of a girl who once lived in Ethiopia where clean water was a struggle to attain.  Her mother made the difficult decision to give her child up for adoption to a family in the United States.  This emotional story will really take a look at decisions we make and the role of water in our lives.

Four Feet, Two Sandals by Karen Lynn Williams literally helps young children walk in the shoes of other children who have to wash their clothes in the river and walk to get daily water. It’s a great book to use for teaching empathy as well as the challenge of water for daily life survival.

A book similar to Four Feet, Two Sandals is Alma Fullerton’s, A Good Trade.  Travel with a young boy as he carries the water jugs to the well.  Along the way, he meets relief workers with a gift.

Animals need access to water too.  Explore animals around the world as they visit the water hole during different seasons of the year in The Water Hole by Graeme Base.

Travel to Prince William Sound, Alaska in Prince William by Gloria Rand.  After an oil spill, many animals are in danger because of polluted water.  A community works together to rescue some of the animals.

One Turtle’s Last Straw: The Real-Life Rescue That Sparked a Sea Change by Elisa Boxer shows us the devasting effect that plastic can have on ocean life as we meet a turtle with a straw stuck in its body.

Water: How We Can Protect Our Freshwater by Catherine Barr explores how climate change and pollution are causing people and animals to have a hard time finding adequate freshwater to live. Be inspired to take action after learning all the hard facts.

Water Day by Margarita Engle is the story of a community who waits for the water man to travel to their area.  Then, we see how they have to store and boil the water to last them until the water man returns.

If the Rivers Run Free by Andrea Debbink shows us that rivers are everywhere and they have been polluted over time.  City planners began to bury them thinking this would solve the problem.  But, this solution really just brought more problems.  The remainder of the book looks at how we then began to uncover the rivers and better managing them.

Get the Printable Book Lists and Conversation Starters

Grab the printable book list that you can take to the library or share with other families. You also get six conversation starters to spark discussion on the topic.

Just click the green button below.

Create a Family Dinner Book Club Featuring Water

What is a Family Dinner Book Club?

Each month:

• On the first of each month, we provide all the details for your dinner.
• Sarah from Chef Sarah Elizabeth shares a themed menu to compliment the theme for the month.
• Laura from Sunny Day Family shares an activity that relates to the theme.
• And, I share a book list that compliments the themes, conversation starters, and a family service project.

Books and Conversation Starters

For our theme of  WATER,  you have found the book list and discussion starters on this page. (see above)

Themed Menu

Check out the themed menu you can eat with your family from Chef Sarah Elizabeth. —> MENU

Book Related Activity

And, visit Sunny Day Family for an activity to do with the theme.—> SUCCULENT GARDEN ACTIVITY

Family Service Project

There are many ways we can take care of our water.

• Make sure trash and recycling are placed in assigned spots.
• Research communities that do not have access to clean water.  What can your family do to help?

Show your kids how some companies are helping keep the waterways clean.  Rothy’s makes shoes from recycled water bottles.

This Family Dinner Book Club can just be the first of many.  Join us in a year-long focus of kids making a difference in the world.—>See All The Kids Making a Difference in the World Family Dinner Book Clubs

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