An intergenerational story about a nonbinary child who learns the tradition of well digging in this picture book about community, hope, and protecting the Earth’s water.
As soon as Kit’s old enough to ride in Grandpa's truck, they begin joining him to dig wells for their community. Grandpa is magic. He can feel the weather in his bones, and he’s able to dance with water. With just a tree branch in his hand, Grandpa sways and spins over the land until he finds a spot to dig a hole into the waiting earth. When the water springs up, Grandpa and Kit jump for joy.
As new hotels and factories pop up across town, clean water becomes harder to find. Sometimes, no water flows at all. Kit is sad for Grandpa—and for Earth. But one day, Grandpa senses that Kit is ready to dance with water too. Grandpa reminds Kit that the energy and strength of their people flows through the water. As they wait and watch for fresh, clear water to flow up from the ground again, Kit recognizes the power shared between themself and Earth.
PRAISE FOR DANCING WITH WATER
"A powerful nugget of culture and history fits snugly into Wallace’s graceful story. Imbued with a beauty and strength that will leave a lasting impression." —Kirkus Reviews
“This sweet tale of intergenerational connection acknowledges the overwhelming tragedy of current climate crises and the hopelessness they can evoke, but it roots the solution in community and connection, emphasizing how grandchild and grandfather inspire each other. Fluid acrylics move across the pages in thickly layered swirls and swoops, mimicking both the smooth calm of water and the more oppressive nature of smoke and smog for a visual contrast that dramatically conveys the urgency of the moment.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Gwendolyn Wallace is an award-winning children’s literature author and PhD student at MIT in History, Anthropology, and Science, Technology and Society (HASTS). Her picture books include Joy Takes Root, The Light She Feels Inside, and the forthcoming Imagine New Suns. Her work for children focuses on Black environmentalisms, cultivating radical imagination, and the past, present, and future of social change.
Tonya Engel is an award-winning artist, mom, and illustrator. Engel’s personal, autobiographical work can be found in public and private collections around the world. She has been the recipient of several awards and honors for her book illustrations, including the 2020 Septima Clark Book Award and the 2022 Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor.
An intergenerational story about a nonbinary child who learns the tradition of well digging in this picture book about community, hope, and protecting the Earth’s water.
As soon as Kit’s old enough to ride in Grandpa's truck, they begin joining him to dig wells for their community. Grandpa is magic. He can feel the weather in his bones, and he’s able to dance with water. With just a tree branch in his hand, Grandpa sways and spins over the land until he finds a spot to dig a hole into the waiting earth. When the water springs up, Grandpa and Kit jump for joy.
As new hotels and factories pop up across town, clean water becomes harder to find. Sometimes, no water flows at all. Kit is sad for Grandpa—and for Earth. But one day, Grandpa senses that Kit is ready to dance with water too. Grandpa reminds Kit that the energy and strength of their people flows through the water. As they wait and watch for fresh, clear water to flow up from the ground again, Kit recognizes the power shared between themself and Earth.
Reviews
PRAISE FOR DANCING WITH WATER
"A powerful nugget of culture and history fits snugly into Wallace’s graceful story. Imbued with a beauty and strength that will leave a lasting impression." —Kirkus Reviews
“This sweet tale of intergenerational connection acknowledges the overwhelming tragedy of current climate crises and the hopelessness they can evoke, but it roots the solution in community and connection, emphasizing how grandchild and grandfather inspire each other. Fluid acrylics move across the pages in thickly layered swirls and swoops, mimicking both the smooth calm of water and the more oppressive nature of smoke and smog for a visual contrast that dramatically conveys the urgency of the moment.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Author
Gwendolyn Wallace is an award-winning children’s literature author and PhD student at MIT in History, Anthropology, and Science, Technology and Society (HASTS). Her picture books include Joy Takes Root, The Light She Feels Inside, and the forthcoming Imagine New Suns. Her work for children focuses on Black environmentalisms, cultivating radical imagination, and the past, present, and future of social change.
Tonya Engel is an award-winning artist, mom, and illustrator. Engel’s personal, autobiographical work can be found in public and private collections around the world. She has been the recipient of several awards and honors for her book illustrations, including the 2020 Septima Clark Book Award and the 2022 Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor.
