• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7

Children are aware that they should not waste water -- "turn off the tap when you brush your teeth", "take a quick shower". But do they understand why? And that they could do more?

In Enough Water? children will discover the reasons that water warrants concern. In simple text, the book explains the actual "cost" of the water that sustains their lifestyle. This "water footprint" is the amount of freshwater used to produce the goods and services they consume, including manufacturing, growing, harvesting, packaging, and shipping to market where they buy it. The human water footprint contributes to an irreversible loss of Earth's finite water supply.

Aimed at children, the clear infographics show how much water is used to make everyday things -- what they wear, what they eat, and so on. The examples will shock: 240 gallons of water (visually comparable to 240 ice cream containers!) to make a smartphone; 92.5 gallons to make a T-shirt and 2,100 for jeans; and 634 gallons to make a cheeseburger (no toppings). The water footprint of just one bottle of cola is equivalent to 350 bottles of water which if stacked on top of each other would reach the roof of a 25-story building.

Enough Water? introduces a cross-section of water issues, including personal and industrial consumption, pollution, irrigation, Earth's limited freshwater supply, and drought which affects all continents. The clever, easily understood infographics raise awareness of how our all-consuming lifestyle is literally made of water.

For home, school and the library, Enough Water? is essential for this generation of inquisitive children facing an uncertain future.

The Editors of Firefly Books ; Introduction by Steve Conrad

Steve Conrad's profile page

Parents and children will find much of interest in this well-organized and nicely presented book.

North Shore News

Highly effective in its approach and most engaging, Enough Water? is insightful and informative, and, hopefully, will lead to a greater awareness of water-consumption issues and changes in behavior with regard to water usage and conservation. Highly Recommended.

Canadian Review of Materials

The opening section of Enough Water? explains that both flooding and drought are "two sides of the same coin," primarily resulting from what we do as humans to the earth. A brief explanation of climate change and its effects are included, with striking photographs interspersed. The heart of the book is "Water by the Numbers," which gives a visual representation of exactly how many liters or gallons of water a typical product or activity involves. From flushing the toilet to using a disposable diaper to growing a watermelon, I was shocked at just how much water is used. The final seven pages of the book includes tips for reducing water use in all areas of life.

The Barefoot Mommy Blog

Readers interested in the environment should find plenty to think about in this volume and teachers will welcome it as a tool to start and guide discussions around water use.

Puget Sound Council for the Review of Children's a

This informational text uses clear explanations and easily understood infographics to introduce young people to the idea of a water footprint by showing how much potable water is required to produce food and other products... Recommend to patrons from grade 4-7 and to their teachers to communicate how the products we choose impact the amount of clean water available in the world.

Youth Services Book Review

(starred review) In this thoughtful title, young readers learn the actual "cost" of water used to grow and make things like oranges, ketchup and even cellphones. This "water footprint" is the amount of fresh water used to produce goods and services and contributes to an irreversible loss of Earth's finite water supply. The easily understood infographics raise awareness of how our all-consuming lifestyle is literally made of water.

The Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books f

The majority of the book is dedicated to single page infographics that clearly explain the amount of water used to grow our favourite foods, do our daily activities and make our favourite items. Teachers of all grade levels could use this as a resource in their classroom as either a supplement to a water unit, science unit, or in a math unit that looks at how we can represent numbers. If you are looking for a resource that raises awareness of water consumption and shares the importance of water conservation, this is a perfect book to help. It belongs in every school library.

Green Teacher Magazine