Where Does Water Come From?

Where Does Water Come From?

Kimberley Kinloch

Dan Taylor

Usborne, 2025

12pp., board book, RRP $A19.99

9781474998437

It is the most essential element to sustain life on the planet but where does water come from?   Why does it rain?  Why do we need water? How much water in is the ocean? Is there enough for everyone? 

These are just some of the big questions asked in this new lift-the-flap book from Usborne. Using the expert advice from the international non-governmental organization Water Aid,  readers explore the water cycle, looking at where rain comes from, flooding and droughts, the importance of clean water and how water reaches the kitchen tap.

But not only are the answers given in an engaging lift-the-flap format, the  layout also models how big questions  generate smaller questions that help break down the topic into manageable parts – an essential element of the information literacy process, offering opportunities to students to formulate their own. More mature students could use Jamie Mackenzie’s revised Questioning Toolkit to develop even more sophisticated supporting questions about this or their own passion, demonstrating that a book’s format does not limit its audience to a preconceived age group.

If the primary role of the teacher librarian is to spark curiosity and help students develop their critical and creative thinking skills, then this new release (and its companions) goes well beyond teaching children about the importance of water.