Children’s Book Review: Hope Springs
Award-winning author and activist Eric Walters’ latest picture book, Hope Springs, is inspired by a compassionate young boy he met in Kenya. Boniface’s village is suffering from a drought and everyone from the orphanage takes turns collecting water from a small, nearby spring. While waiting in the long queue, some elders tell the children that they are not allowed to fill their buckets: “You may live here, but you are not from here … This is our water for our families.” Boniface returns to the orphanage with an empty container and a heavy heart. Distraught, he talks to his wise and understanding houseparen'ts who explain the villagers’ actions were borne out of fear. When the orphanage’s well draws water, Boniface wants to help the very people who turned him away and spearheads a water project for the valley.
Eugenie Fernandes’ vibrant acrylic paintings capture the beauty and austerity of rural Kenya’s arid and mountainous landscape. From disdainful grimaces, to hopeful resiliency, the emotions and concerns of the villagers are etched on their faces.
Walters’ thoughtful and moving text explores acts of kindness and shows how one child can affect great change. An afterword explains the “story behind the story” and includes photographs of Boniface, the Hope Springs Well and information about Eric Walters’ Creation of Hope foundation.
Linda Ludke is a librarian at London Public Library. Her reviews have appeared in Quill and Quire, School Library Journal and CM: Canadian Review of Materials. When she’s not reading and writing she also loves searching for vintage treasures.
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One thought on “Children’s Book Review: Hope Springs”
wow if must be a good story