My eye was drawn to the relevant locations. In this book, the sweeping arcs of the exquisite inks helped me imagine the different emotions that the author is trying to emphasize. The focus is on Nya's bravery and love for her sister. I also thought it was amazing that the book featured a real charity organization called Water for South Sudan that was established and is managed by a former Sudanese refugee and that makes a difference in the lives of brave children like Nya. ( )

A great supplement or companion to 'A Long Walk to Water', this book could be used as a alternative text for struggling readers who are not ready to read 'A Long Walk to Water' with their classmates. ( )

Flowing, simple illustrations make a path for this uplifting tale, a picture book companion to Linda Sue Park's "Long Walk to Water". Nya, who is featured in interludes in "Long Walk to Water", shines. Nya has to make lengthy journeys from her South Sudan village to the water source. Nya's endurance is clear, but it is even better to see the life Nya is able to have after South Sudanese refugee-cum-philanthropic-entrepreneur Salva Dut brings a well to Nya's village. ( )

Nya and her sister Akir have to take the long water to the watering hole to get water. They do their very best to not get tired. But Akir gets sick on the way. There is no one around to help Akir, and there is no one around to help Nya with Akir. What is Nya to do? Abandon the water altogether and bring Akir back home, or bring the water back home and leave Akir? Nya does neither. She brings some water back to the village, with Akir tied to her backside with a headscarf. Now, she must walk again. Mama needs Nya's help to walk to the clinic that will help Akir. It is a 3 day journey. Even though it was a hard task, Nya is grateful for Salva Dut. He has made sure that Nya and her village have clean water that is close by. ( )

Fictional character Nya takes on Salva Dut's mentality of "one step at a time" as she faces the struggle of getting both the jerry can of water and her sickly sister home quickly. Living in Nya's village means walking far to get water and running the possibility of contracting a waterborne disease from drinking that same water. That is until Salva Dut comes back to his home community of southern Sudan to make a difference. Reducing the risk of disease and death, Dut and his foundation provide villages with local clean water which gives young people in the area the opportunity to go to school.

This picture book would go well in a Science unit covering water conservation. ( )

Wow. This is a really great picture book that touches on a very real topic - availability of clean water and what can happen without access to it - all without being a scary story.
Also references the Water for South Sudan Organization.