All the Water in the World

All the water in the world by George Ella Lyon, illustrated by Katherine Tillotson

Like Swirl by Swirl, This is another beautifully illustrated, lyrically written title about an aspect of nature. This time, it’s the water cycle. George Ella Lyon’s beautiful poem about the amazing beauty of water and the water cycle is perfectly spread out over Katherine Tillotson’s digital illustrations on handmade paper. The poem has a warm, friendly feel, “Everything waits/for an open gate/in a wall of clouds/for rain sweet and loud/to fill the well/and start the stream/Honey/living things dream/of water/for all to drink/use in tub or sink/wash in, splash in.”

Tillotson’s illustrations show the progression of water through the water cycle show more as well as droughts, but her illustrations also explode with the life that comes from water, with a spray of droplets and waves hiding animals and people in its splashes. The book ends with an exhortation to conserve water and keep earth green for everyone.

Verdict: This is a great way to introduce very young children to the water cycle as well as being a fun and lovely read-aloud. I successfully used it with my pre-kindergarten classes last summer and they loved the exuberant language and details in the pictures. The text is integrated into the illustrations, so you’ll need to practice reading this aloud as it’s not always easy to follow the words. Highly recommended.

ISBN: 978-1416971306; Published March 2011 by Atheneum; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library show less

This water explores where water comes from in a poetic way. It starts with the hose, and filling up a cup and explores the water cycle. Evaporation, forming clouds until they burst forth with rain. This part shows an illustration of so much rain, it looks as if it will never end. But the next page, shows a different place on earth, where it hasn't rained in a long while. It explores how every living thing "dreams of water, for all to drink, use in a tub or sink, wash in or splash in." Again, something in nature that connects us all. Another beautiful line "This wet wonder... means grow...means life will flow...through tigers...through trees. Through you and through me." The book tells children that water is precious, not to waste it and show more to keep it clean.
I think this book is important because without water, we would all die, and with Climate Change, our water situation can become precarious. Again, everything on Earth is connected, a balance and it is important for children to see that. And to see that it is not just humans that depend on clean water. Another book with gorgeous illustrations that make you feel surrounded by blue, clean, refreshing water. show less

This book is so fun to read! And I especially love the composition of the illustrations and photographs-- there is a fun sense of movement and exploration in these pages.

This is a picture-book with water-conservation in mind. While the text of the book is good; rhyme-y and playful explaining the water cycle and the need to conserve, the illustrations are less than compelling and feel a little generic. It reads and looks exactly as expected. As Cookie Monster has said of quality, "Pretty good, but not delicious."

A good book to have around when topics like the water-cycle come up. Will keep available for students to choose. Is a decent read-aloud book.

Beautiful art inspired by Eric Carle, but richer, with images within images etc. (Thankfully very different from her Library Lights...). Poem reads well, with lots of juicy words, and some 'concrete poetry' images; could be drawn upon as a mentor text. A bit skimpy on the facts; use it as a companion to a water or environmental unit unless you're just simply sharing it with preschool. Highly recommended to poets, parents and teachers.

(That second person address to 'honey' sounds off, to me, though, so I won't give it the full five stars. I think its inclusion limits the appeal to older children, unfortunately.)

This book totally immerses the reader in the water cycle. From blue end papers and thrashing water on the title page, we’re taken to a view of the tiny blue planet Earth from space. From space, the author moves to the familiar: water coming from a hose, puddles, and a cup of water. The author explains the water cycle using a wealth of vocabulary quite artfully and effectively.

I love this book! It's poetic, it's lyrical, it's personal, with meandering text, lively fonts that splash and spray across the pages, textured and colorful artwork depicting water (and its absence) in all its glory.

"Water doesn't come. It goes. Around.
That rain
that cascaded from clouds
and meandered down mountains,
that wavered over waterfalls
then slipped into rivers
and opened into oceans,
that rain has been here before."

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