CONTENT:
All the Water in the World (2011), written by George Ella Lyon and illustrated by Katherine Tillotson, presents the water cycle starting from the experience of children and showing them where we they find water in everyday life (e.g., a glass of water in a hot summer day, the water coming out of the hose in the garden, etc.). Then, the authors ask the children this question: “Where does all the water come from?" This picturebook functions as a springboard to reflect on the water cycle. The picturebook aims at showing children that the water they use every day belongs to the Earth in a continuous cycle and the illustrations clearly represent its phases.
WHY USING THIS PICTUREBOOK:
Thanks to this picturebook, children can learn about the water cycle and the journey of water though different environments. The written text contains many onomatopoeias that contribute to depicting the various scenarios in which water can be found, such as rain, ocean and clouds. The author uses rhymes to give the text a musical quality and offer a pleasant listening experience to the children. The written text and the illustrations combine in a symmetrical interplay, which promotes comprehension. However, there are double spreads that feature more abstract images and can inspire reflection and discussion. Children are also invited to reflect on the implications of water scarcity or abundance through the use of different colours associated with these conditions.
