New children’s book aimed at encouraging water conservation from an early age

20th May 2022

By: Natasha Odendaal

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

     

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A new children’s book, funded and distributed by global water technology company Xylem and its corporate social responsibility programme Xylem Watermark, aims to show young children how to help protect water, using storytelling to increase awareness and drive water conservation.

Splash, recently launched at schools in South Africa, Kenya and Egypt, is a creative and engaging way to show children that water is important, says Xylem Africa strategy and marketing manager Chetan Mistry.

“Water is one of our most important resources and its future depends on how much ownership we take over it.

“When people are water stewards, they help maintain water for their communities and countries. It is a mindset that works best when you learn it early, which is why Xylem and Xylem Watermark developed Splash,” he explains.

Social investment agency GrowZA, in partnership with Xylem, developed the concept and assisted with assembling a team of creatives to produce the publication, with Super 3 as the publishing partner.

The book, the first in a series that will cover different topics, introduces a magical water droplet called Splash, which journeys with Thami the tortoise across Africa and shows him why water is so vital and clever ways to conserve it.

During their travels across the continent, they encounter colourful characters such as Vuyo the catfish and Liya the elephant and discover how water brings life.

“We wanted to create an epic water- saving adventure for children that would leave them feeling inspired. Our story was inspired by plants and animals across Africa – as well as its incredible landscapes – with a magical twist. Splash brings wonder and joy wherever it goes and makes being a Water Wiz something fun and attainable.

“We at Super 3 Books are proud to be involved with a local project of this magnitude and hope that it brings joy – and water consciousness – to many young readers,” says publisher Super 3 Books founder and Splash co-author Yumna Sadan.

The book looks at water stewardship, and subsequent releases will cover concepts such as sanitation and the water cycle, with each book engaging children with vibrant characters and fun situations and providing them with skills to take their water knowledge into their communities.

They are also encouraged to sign a call to action in the book to become water stewards.

“Children are very eager to help and they can have an incredible impact on those around them,” adds GrowZA executive director Craig Kensley.

“This is also their future we are talking about – they have a right to know what role they can play to keep water clean and available. With Splash, they discover that they can make a difference. Every drop counts, just as every child counts.”

Splash, currently only published in English, will be launched in several African countries and translated into local languages.

The vision is to translate it into the six United Nations (UN) languages, namely Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish, for global distribution.

The book, which is designed to align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 of ensuring access to water and sanitation for all, aims to be included in the UN SDG Book Club and an African export product.

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

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