Water Hole Waiting

by Jane Kurtz and Christopher Kurtz

Book Overview

It's a hot day on the savanna. The sun sizzles, bristles, and bakes. A young monkey wants to drink at the water hole.But wait Blocking the way are irritable hippos, sharphoofed zebras, a toothy lion,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060298502
• ISBN13: 9780060298500
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.8" x 11.4"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Stunning illustrations, rich language, great image of Africa

As a homeschooler I've twice taken 2nd grade children through a study of Africa. This book is my favorite. The language consistently uses the richest verbs in a gentle poetry that transports the reader to the site: "Morning slinks onto the savanna and licks up the night shadows..." The illustrations are gorgeous. And the content includes all the relevent animals of the savanna and puts into perspective how they are all living together -- even as some are predators and some are prey. An authors note at the end puts this fictional story into context and explains what is fiction and what is true in the story. I think this book is fantastic for any read-aloud, even if you aren't "studying" Africa. It is a beautiful piece of children's picture book literature.

And not a drop to drink

Heaven knows why water holes are such a never ending source of potential picture book plotting. Yet year after year some of the best children's books out there concentrate on those large bodies of water available to the animals of the savanna. This is the case with Graeme Base's remarkable, "The Water Hole" and Bob Graham's touching, "Tales From the Waterhole". Added to the mix is "Water Hole Waiting" by authorial super duo Jane and Christopher Kurtz. Of the aforementioned books, this is the one you'll want to go to if you actually want some factual information to go along with your watering studies. Adept with a peppy rhyming text and some lovingly wielded pastels, the book's a fine addition to any child's water-hole-centric personal library. In the hot morning sun a young monkey is parched and longs to slake his thirst at the nearest watery hole. However, his ever alert mama is quick to grab ahold of her restless charge, especially when he's about to run into some dangerous animals. A quick grab to his arms saves him from "Hippo's yawning jaws". A paw to the ear and he's not crushed under, "sharp hooves and quick kicks". Catching ahold of his tale saves him from a lion, "who crouches close and lip-laps water between razor teeth". And so on. By the end of the day our little monkey is warier, but able to drink deeply with his fellow monkeys after all the other animals have had their share. The Kurtzes include a lovely little author's note at the back of the book detailing their own personal experiences in the bush. They mention that the vervet monkeys (shown in this book) have a different warning call for each potential threat. Also, water holes like the one shown here usually do serve animals that "take turns". The Kurtz even suggest the website www.AfriCam.com for kids who want to see real water holes. I did find myself wishing that this book had shown the monkeys and their different calls, but even without that fascinating tidbit the book is still a lovely read. The pictures are bright and lovely, so thanks goes to illustrator Lee Christiansen. One hopes to see more of Christiansen's work in picture books to come. If you've been trying to find just the right way to introduce kids to the animals and landscape of the East African savanna, this may be a delightful choice. To be honest, I personally prefer the aforementioned "The Water Hole" by Graeme Base, but this is a lovely accompaniment to it. Recommended for all those impatient little monkeys out there.

Don't wait to read this!

This beautifully illustrated book is outstanding. I shared it with children in grades K-5 at my school and it was enjoyed by all. The language is lyrical, expressive, rhythmic. We savored each page and I was asked to read it again. Jane Kurtz has given us yet another wonderful book.