ALL THE WATER ON EARTH

Lightly adapted from Strauss’ One Well (2007), a cogent reminder that our planet’s water is all the water we have.

Goodnight (Chickasaw Nation) depicts rich arrays of wild flora and fauna and views of a notably diverse cast of, mostly, smiling young people around the world using or enjoying water in various ways. The narrative is aimed at younger children than was the source material, but the takeaway hasn’t changed: “For millions of years,” the author writes, “the amount of water on Earth has been the same.” Moreover, it’s all connected: We drink the same water that dinosaurs drank—all life and everything we make or do is dependent on it. Logically, that makes it all the more urgent to use and enjoy our water wisely, to keep it as pure as possible, and to clean it when it becomes polluted. Following a closing salute to water preservers and conservationists everywhere, Strauss closes with discussion questions, a note on the water cycle, a list of books and websites, and suggestions for ways younger readers can get involved. “Because all the water on Earth is…all the water on Earth.”

A serious message, all the more convincing for the simple, positive tone of its delivery.