Pistes d'exploration

Investigate the process by which your school or community gets clean water. What barriers prevent access to clean water in some communities?

How did the lack of clean drinking water affect Jimmy and his community? Use a graphic organizer to show the impact of the new well.

Discuss Ryan’s role in the story. Research other children who have taken on a cause. How could you help make the world a better place?

Find out what has happened to Ryan and Jimmy since the publication of this book. Create a slideshow to summarize their progress.

Discuss how your life would be different without running water.

On a world map, locate areas where people do not have access to water inside their homes. Use another colour to indicate those without water near their homes.

Discuss Ryan’s role in the story. Research other children who have taken on a cause. How could you help make the world a better place?

Draw a mind map of the story. Annotate your reactions in a different colour.

A Cool Drink of Water, Water, Water in the Park: A Book About Water & the Times of the Day, Beatrice's Goat, Listen to the Wind: The Story of Dr. Greg and Three Cups of Tea

Mots-clés

Non-fiction , Africa , children's rights , community , friendship , humanitarianism , illustrations (photographs) , making a difference , overcoming adversity , water

Commentaire descriptif

This is the inspirational true story of Ryan Hreljac, an ordinary Ontario boy. His discovery, at the age of six, that many children in the world don’t have safe drinking water got him started on a life of activism. Penned by his great-uncle, the book recounts Ryan’s struggle to save money to have a well built in a Ugandan village, the international attention it brought him, and the unbreakable bond of friendship he forged with a young orphan named Akana Jimmy, who reaped the benefits of his hard work and determination. The abundant text is straightforward and engaging, alternating between Jimmy’s “life in a mud hut with only the barest essentials,” the civil unrest in his country, and the brown, smelly drinking water; and Ryan’s privileged, suburban life. A vibrant grouping of images – captioned photos, drawings and letters – help children visualize the events of the story. Chapters alternate between the contrasting story settings – Agweo and Kemptville. One of a series that informs children about the world and inspires them to be better global citizens, this book sends the positive message that a single person can make a difference.