Water Day
Book Summary:
Water Day follows a young girl in her Cuban village as she and her community eagerly await the weekly visit of the water man, who brings fresh water to fill their tanks. On this special day, neighbors laugh, help one another, and celebrate the life-giving resource that water represents. The story highlights both the challenges of limited access to water and the joy and hope that come with its arrival.
Recommended Questions:
How might geography influence where water is available and where it is scarce?
How do people in the story adapt to living in a place with limited access to water?
What strategies does the family use to conserve water?
What might happen if the water truck does not arrive?
Why do you think the water man uses a horse instead of a truck on this day? What other resources might be scarce in the community?
How does the great-grandmother describe changes in weather patterns from her youth to the present? How might this connect to global warming? Read the author’s note to learn about environmental changes in Trinidad, Cuba.
What type of fish do they put in the tank, and why? Read the author’s note to learn about mosquitofish.
Why is it important that everyone—especially those with regular access to water—practice wise water use?
NCSS Theme 7: Production, Distribution and Consumption
Water Day highlights how an essential resource—water—is distributed within a community. The story shows how families depend on the arrival of the water truck, demonstrating systems of delivery, limited supply, and the shared responsibility of managing resources. Students can analyze how scarcity affects daily routines, economic decisions, and community cooperation, deepening their understanding of how goods and services are produced, distributed, and consumed.
Social Justice Anchor Standard 12: Recognize unfairness
Water Day highlights how limited access to clean water affects families’ daily lives, revealing inequities in resource distribution. While the story centers on celebration and community strength, it also prompts students to consider why some communities must wait for basic necessities while others have consistent access. This encourages learners to recognize systemic inequities and reflect on fairness in access to essential resources.
WA Geography 2: Understands human interaction with the environment
Water Day centers on how limited access to water shapes the daily lives, routines, and responsibilities of families in the community. The arrival of the water truck demonstrates how people adapt to environmental conditions and resource scarcity. Students can analyze how access to natural resources influences quality of life, work, and community cooperation.
