Review of A Most Common Thirst
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The Children’s Book Review
A Common Thirst
Written by Gary Boelhower
Illustrated by Sarah Brokke
Ages 3-8 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Beaver’s Pond Press | ISBN-13: 978-1643438542
What to Expect: Interdependence, commonalities, animals, acceptance
A Common Thirst is a softly illustrated picture book that encourages readers to see that no matter how different we are from each other, working together towards the common good helps us all.
The goats, who live in the mountains, are provided with all the water they need by the snow that melts into streams. The sheep, who live on the planes, enjoy water from creeks fed by the falling rain. The goats and sheep live separately until one year there is no snow or rain, and they meet while looking for water. While the king of the goats and the queen of the sheep immediately mistrust each other, the kids and the lambs wander off to explore together and discover water! Both the goats and the sheep want to claim the water for themselves until the youngest kid demands that they all share because “We all have stories and dreams and thirst.” It is then that the goats and sheep learn that sharing the water will quench their common thirst.
By using language that is accessible to younger children and strong descriptive words to convey feelings, the author delivers a clear message for his readers, both young and old, to take away. In addition to expressive writing, A Common Thirst provides vivid illustrations to help highlight the story. The use of soft colors and a sketch-like feel to the captivating illustrations lend lushness to this classic storyline.
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About the Author
Gary Boelhower is Professor Emeritus at The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota where he continues to teach courses in health humanities and religious studies. He is an award-winning teacher, writer and poet whose career has focused on wise decision-making and values-based leadership. Boelhower’s recent books for adults include Mountain 10: Climbing the Labyrinth Within, Choose Wisely: Practical Insights from Spiritual Traditions, Naming Rites: Poems and Marrow, Muscle, Flight: Poems which won the Midwest Book Award.
Visit garyboelhower.com.
About the Illustrator
Sarah Brokke has garnered numerous awards for her widely exhibited work. She is the Director of the Art Program and the Community Mural Initiative at The College of St Scholastica. She has created large-scale collaborative murals with schools and non-profit organizations. Her exhibition “Portrait of an Artist” which honored artists who had a positive impact on her work resulted in a book Portrait of an Artist: Paintings by Sarah M. Brokke published by Holy Cow! Press.
Visit sarahbrokke.com.
Read our exclusive interview: Gary Boelhower Discusses A Most Common Thirst
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored, non-biased review of A Most Common Thirst, by Gary Boelhower and Sarah Brokke. Learn more about getting a book review …
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