The Water Lady

Author Alice B. McGinty Illustrated by Shonto Begay

Grades 6-8 Ages 4-8

This inspiring picture book tells the true story of a woman who brings desperately needed water to families on the Navajo reservation every day.

Underneath the New Mexico sky, a Navajo boy named Cody finds that his family's barrels of water are empty. He checks the chicken coop-- nothing. He walks down the road to the horses' watering hole. Dry. Meanwhile, a few miles away, Darlene Arviso drives a school bus and picks up students for school. After dropping them off, she heads to another job: she drives her big yellow tanker truck to the water tower, fills it with three thousand gallons of water, and returns to the reservation, bringing water to Cody's family, and many, many others. Here is the incredible and inspiring true story of a Native American woman who continuously gives back to her community and celebrates her people.

Available Formats

Hardcover 9780525645009
eBook 9780525645023
Unabridged Audiobook Download 9798217021130

State Awards

Arizona

2024, Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award, Nominee

Illinois

2022, Illinois Reads List, Nominee

New Mexico

2024, Land Of Enchantment Book Award, Nominee

Ohio

2021, Norman A. Sugarman Children’s Book Award, Nominee

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