Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends! I’m thrilled to share with you today’s featured story, written by one of my dearest kid-lit friends, Janie Reinhart. And because I’m jumping for joy that her debut picture book JUST LAUNCHED, I’m offering a giveaway! Please make sure you leave a comment and share the post on social media for extra tickets in the giveaway hat.

WHEN WATER MAKES MUD

Written by Janie Reinart

Illustrated by Morgan Taylor

Book design by Alayne Kay Christian

Published by Blue Whale Press (June 1, 2021)

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Refugees, family, kindness

Synopsis: From Amazon:

When war forces two sisters to flee their home in South Sudan with nothing but the clothes they are wearing, Big Sister strives to help Little Sister smile again at the refugee settlement. But as quickly as Little Sister’s smile appears, it disappears: that is until water makes mud. In the end, Big Sister’s artistry and kindness brings hope to their situation.

This title is a tribute to the resourcefulness of children who have no toys, but continue to play and is dedicated to the 200,000 refugee children living at the Bidibidi settlement in Uganda.

Why I Love This Book:

1. This is an important story on so many levels…and it shines a much-needed light on this particular refugee problem and on similar situations throughout the world.
2. This is a beautiful story of kindness, family, and how children can find beauty and hope in a bucket of mud.
3. Vibrant illustrations that put you right in the setting.

If you’d like to find out more about the illustrator, the author did an interview on her blog: https://www.janiereinart.com/from-an-artists-point-of-view/

RELATED ACTIVITIES:

Oh my gosh…do you remember playing in the mud? I sure do! Most kids adore it but don’t often get the opportunity because we don’t want them getting all ‘dirty’. But mud isn’t really dirty…it’s just dirt/earth/soil after all. You can fill a little kiddie pool with mud, gather some old pots/spoons/containers/plates/whatever, dress your kids in old clothes…or, if it’s hot summer, just a bathing suit…and let them go to town. Then you can turn on a fine mist spray with the hose – and provide another hour or more of fun as they get clean. Here are a bunch of awesome ideas for fun in the mud: https://runwildmychild.com/ways-to-have-fun-with-mud/

And remember that the best gift we can give an author is to buy their book, review their book, tell friends about their book, and ask our local library to purchase copies of their book. I was excited to see WHEN WATER MAKES MUD is a #1 New Release on Amazon…let’s keep the buzz going, dear friends, especially because the publisher is donated ALL of the publisher’s profits are being donated to UNICEF. Thank you so much, Blue Whale Press and Clear Fork!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Please don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a copy of WHEN WATER MAKES MUD…maybe you can tell us about your favorite mud puddle adventure.

And for more wonderful picture book reviews and activities, please hop over to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday post.