Water Walkers - by Carol Ann Trembath

About the Book

Water Walkers is the story of an Ojibway girl--Mai, whose family members are walking around Lake Superior to raise awareness about the harm being done to the Great Lakes. As Mai walks, she tries to find ways she can help. Will the secret messages from the animals she sees, show her how to help Mother Earth? Can Mai become a good Water Walker?

Book Synopsis

Water Walkers is the story of an Ojibway girl named Mai. Her family members are walking around Lake Superior to raise awareness about the harm that is being done to the Great Lakes. At first, Mai is told she is too little to go, but her grandmother says, "Even little people can do big things." As Mai walks along the lakeside path, she tries to find ways to help. Will the secret messages from the animals she sees on her journey show her how to help the water and Mother Earth? Will Mai prove that she is a clever coyote girl and can become a good water walker?

Water Walkers is a tribute to the many Native women and men who in today's world have courageously walked countless miles to draw attention to the condition of water. The message of this diverse, environmental book is to protect the water.

Included are: common core state standards, websites, cross-curriculum activities, a glossary of environmental terms, and ten ways for children to protect the Earth. With new original illustrations by Native American artist, David W. Craig. It is a must for every school and family library.

Review Quotes

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.