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Hope Springs    by Eric Walters & Eugenie Fernandes Amazon.com order for
Hope Springs
by Eric Walters
Order:  USA  Can
Tundra, 2014 (2014)
Hardcover
* * *   Reviewed by Hilary Williamson

Though Hope Springs, written by Eric Walters (author of My Name is Blessing as well as many wonderful YA novels) and illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes, looks like a picture book, the size and amount of text makes it more appropriate for chapter book readers (or an adult reading aloud, while showing the lush pictures that accompany the words).

Gentle young Boniface lives in a Kenyan orphanage and helps look after the smaller children. They all work hard, but are content to do so. But when they line up for water at the little spring that supplies the area, village women tell them, 'There is no water for you at all. You must leave!'

A frightened Boniface speaks to their houseparents about it. The adults explain that the villagers fear the drought. Fortunately a well is being dug at the orphanage and the youngster helps with it. Soon they have all the water they need.

But what about the villagers? Young Boniface has an idea and soon there is 'enough water - and enough kindness - for all.' Enjoy the life lessons in this book and don't miss The Story Behind the Story at the back.

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