Hope Springs by E. Walters

Walters, Eric. Hope Springs . Illus. Eugenie Fernandes. Toronto, Ontario: Tundra Books, 2014. Print. Author Eric Walters and illustrator Eugenie Fernandes have teamed up to create a collection of beautiful picture books set in an orphanage in Kenya. "Hope Springs" is the second of three written and illustrated by this award winning team. The text is substantial but not overwhelming for elementary age students. Walters makes the significant topics of drought and community struggle accessible for readers of all ages. The story moves at a steady pace with subtly proverbial language that makes it an ideal read aloud. Young orphan Boniface faces hardship as drought overwhelms the valley in which he lives. Boniface reveals his kind heart early in the story and this caring nature develops more fully throughout the text. Stunning illustrations created using rich acrylics, compliment the text beautifully. In fact the layered landscapes add depth to the story. One especially poignant page portraying a watery dreamscape acts as the cover of the book. As an added bonus the book jacket doubles as a poster attracting young readers and foreshadowing the compassionate story within.  Walters concludes his optimistic tale with a special non-fiction section, complete with photos, maps, and captions, describing "the story behind the story". All in all this is an inspirational read that highlights the power of kindness and sharing in the face of adversity. Read it for the heart-warming story featuring a struggle far beyond any first world problems and relish in the beautiful artwork. Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Michelle Harvey Michelle Harvey is a teacher-librarian at a French Immersion school in Kelowna, British Columbia. After spending six years teaching in northeast China, Michelle is happy to be home and promoting her passions for reading and inquiry at the elementary school level.