Picture Book:
Hope Springs
Author: Eric
Walters
Illustrator:
Eugenie Fernandes
Summary:
Boniface is a young orphan boy in Kenya who leads a group of younger orphans to
gather water down at the small spring shared by the entire drought-ridden
village, a spring that is simply drops of water, seeping from rocks into a muddy
puddle. Because the orphans are new to the area, the children are forced to
leave without water. The adults give this reason: “You may live here, but you
are not from here. This is our water for our families.” When they return, Henry,
Boniface’s houseparent, explains that they were not welcome to get water because
the villagers are afraid their own families will not have water. The spring could
dry up anytime. Meanwhile, through donations to the orphanage, a well is being
built next to the orphanage. When the orphanage’s well is successfully dug, Boniface
suggests that the well-digging equipment be used to build a well in the valley
for the villagers. Henry agrees as long as the villagers provide the labor. The
village well is successfully built and named Hope Springs. The book ends with
these words: “And there was enough water – and enough kindness - for all.”
Hanna’s Comments: My favorite line in this inspiring true story is Boniface’s
response to his Henry’s surprise that the boy wants to help those who turned
him away. “We are not desperate… so perhaps we can be kind. I know that when
you give water, you give life.” If only more people could overcome fear and scarcity
with such generosity! On my PBT blog, I use the non-fiction category more
loosely than you would find in a library. If a picture book is based on a true
story, I categorize it as non-fiction. is an example. It’s unlikely you’ll
find it in the non-fiction section of your library. Look in the fiction
section. In the back of the book, you’ll see The Story Behind the Story which includes a map and photographs of
the characters and places in the story, including the built wells. You may want
to learn more about the author’s philanthropic endeavors for orphans in Kenya
at www.creationofhope.com.
Publisher & Date of Publication: Tundra Books, 2014
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 6 and up, 1st and up
# of Pages:
32
Available in Spanish? Not at present
Formats other than Book: None at present, but there is a 15 minute TEDx
video on Youtube.com of the author talking about his experiences in Kenya.
PBT Category:
Fresh off the Press, Non-fiction
PBT Topics this Book Connects with: action, Africa, anxiety/worry,
babies/children, blessings, body of Christ, challenges, community,
dependence/interdependence, discord, drink/thirst, drought, fear,
forgiveness/mercy/redemption, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, goodness,
grace, helping, hope, insecurity, intolerance, labor/work, land/mountains/soil,
leadership/servant leadership, neighbors, orphans, outreach, partners/teamwork,
problems/problem solving, sharing, survival, water, wisdom
Scripture Connections: You shall
treat the stranger as the native among you and you shall love him as yourself
(Leviticus 19:34); and a little child will lead them (Isaiah 11:6); blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
for they will be filled (Matthew 5:6); when did we see you a stranger
and welcome you… Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are my
family, you did it to me. (Matthew 25:35-40)
Idea(s) for Application: Use this book with children or youth when talking
about scarcity of water in many places in the world or overcoming selfishness
and fear with generosity.
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