A Book That Can Not Be Read Without Water

A global non-profit organisation, ‘Water For People’ has come up with a unique tool to help demonstrate the serious need for water: The Dehydrating Book. Written by Jennifer Tress and illustrated by Steven Tanaka, this groundbreaking book can only be read while hydrated and the ink disappears as the pages dry. The book serves not only as an invaluable educational tool but also as a call to action, joining the conversation about the connection between access to water, education, and opportunity.

In Latin America, where water scarcity disrupts education and daily life, this book is a note of conscience that access to safe drinking water is a primary need for a better future. But water scarcity is not a problem beyond that geographical area. It has become a serious crisis at a global

reach where millions of people, including children, are impacted worldwide. Lack of access to safe drinking water in schools leads to absenteeism, illness and poor cognitive performance. Water scarcity, as highlighted by Mark Duey, CEO, Water For People.

The Dehydrating Book combines learning with fun through the inclusion of hydrochromic ink,

appearing when in contact with water and serving to reveal text specially printed in the book. It

forces readers to confront the reality that like the book, knowledge and opportunity fade away

when water is no longer available. The book’s main character, Lupita the hummingbird, goes on

a journey through Peru to find water, reflecting the millions of children around the world who do

not have access to this critical resource.

The innovative model of The Dehydrating Book can and must be replicated in other regions afflicted by water crises, particularly due to climate change, where drinking water is less available. Water scarcity looks different in each region. There are different challenges, different stories, and different environmental contexts. To replicate the success of The Dehydrating Book, similar technology can be used except the material, the story, and the content can be written in local contexts, through local narratives, characters and languages. For instance, an example could illustrate people’s struggle to harvest rainwater

in the face of extreme salinity intrusion in southwest Bangladesh, while in sub-Saharan Africa, a story could depict the daily burden of long-distance water collection and how both the salinity and the distance only grow as water scarcity becomes a brutal reality affected by climate change.

These books can be used in educational programs by governments and NGOs, and they can serve as a hands-on learning tool in schools. The Dehydrating Book can encourage teachers to talk about the importance of conservation and even climate resilience, so students understand

how preserving water resources can shape their communities and the world!

Climate change worsens water scarcity, as increasing temperatures, droughts and extreme weather events draw down water bodies. In face of this growing climate crisis, The Dehydrating Book is successful in Latin America because it shows that storytelling can be an effective tool for climate education. It shows how only access to clean water is not enough; the prevailing community should also learn how to value it. Engaging the next generation through innovative storytelling could lead to a future where every child, no matter where they are, has the opportunity to learn and grow without the threat of water insecurity hanging over them. The book is not just a creative innovation; it’s an emergency alarm. It pursues us to reconsider: how do we communicate challenges we face related to water and climate? Countries afflicted by water insecurity can employ similar storytelling strategies to drive home the importance of water conservation and accessibility in a way that facts and statistics simply cannot. It is important to recognise that access to water is not just about survival; it is about empowerment, education, and the future of entire generations and the earth itself. Water For People's initiative sparks plans for a global movement; now it is up to the world to know, read and use this extraordinary book in order to adapt this model in educating the younger generations on the existential threat of climate change.