This great story offers so many unique gifts to all readers -children, parents, grandparents, educators and others. It is a fiction story with so many factual insights we rarely see in children's literature. For example, it tells a 21st century story about an Ojibway Grandmother who set an example for her young granddaughter and others in the family about how members of native tribes from America and Canada can help save our environment.
I loved reading the story as told by a young girl named Mai. She shares how her grandmother led her family on a walk around Lake Superior. Mai's grandmother also planned to walk around other Great Lakes with a goal of raising awareness about damage that is being done to our environment. Others in her family thought Mai was too young to walk with them around the Great Lakes. I loved her grandmother's response when family members objected. Grandmother said, "Even our little ones can make ripples and waves." So, true!
Thank you, Carol Trembath, for offering valuable background information about the Water Walkers in the dedication and introduction and for the many valuable resources at the end of the book (glossary, Common core state standards, children's activities, and more). The outstanding illustrations by David Craig truly reflect the love and trust between Mai and her Ojibway Grandmother.
Linda C.