Making a Splash with a children’s book that encourages kids to protect water

Johannesburg, South Africa, (May 25th, 2022) – Even if you are small, you matter – just like every drop of water. This is the inspiring message of Splash, a new children’s book funded and distributed by Xylem, the leading provider of pure water solutions. Recently launched at schools in South Africa, Kenya and Egypt, Splash takes children on a fantastic journey across Africa, showing them how to help protect water.

“Water is one of our most important resources and water’s future depends on how much ownership we take over it,” says Chetan Mistry, Strategy and Marketing Manager, Xylem Africa. “When people are water stewards, they help maintain water for their communities and countries. It’s a mindset that works best when you learn it early, which is why Xylem and Xylem Watermark developed Splash, a book designed to use storytelling to increase awareness and drive water conservation. It’s an incredibly creative and engaging way to show children that water is important, and they can decide its future.”

In the first book, we meet a magical water droplet called Splash. He journeys with Thami the tortoise across Africa, showing him why water is so vital and clever ways to conserve it. As they travel across the plains of the African continent, they encounter colourful characters such as Vuyo the catfish and Liya the elephant and discover how water brings life.

“We wanted to create an epic water-saving adventure for children that would leave them feeling inspired. The journey to creating Splash, Thami and friends was a great adventure in and of itself! Our story was inspired by plants and animals across Africa – as well as its incredible landscapes – with a magical twist. Splash brings wonder and joy wherever it goes and makes being a “Water Wiz” something fun and attainable. We at Super 3 Books are proud to be involved with a local project of this magnitude and hope that it brings joy – and water consciousness – to many young readers!”

Splash is the first in a series that will cover different topics. The book looks at water stewardship, and subsequent releases will cover concepts such as sanitation and the water cycle. Each book engages children with vibrant characters and fun situations, providing them with skills to take their water knowledge into their communities. They are encouraged to sign a call to action in the book to become water stewards.

“Children are very eager to help and they can have an incredible impact on those around them,” says Craig Kensley, of GrowZA Social Investment Agency.

“This is also their future we’re talking about – they have a right to know what role they can play to keep water clean and available. With Splash, they discover that they can make a difference. Every drop counts, just as every child counts.”

The message won’t stop there. Splash will be launched in several African countries and translated into local languages. Designed to align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Ensure access to water and sanitation for all), Splash aims to be included in the UN SDG book club and an African export product.

Splash is the latest initiative from Xylem and Xylem Watermark, Xylem’s corporate social responsibility programme, to promote positive water use and ownership. It joins a growing number of projects, including funding and support of community gardens and sanitation stations, and Be A Water Hero – a campaign collaboration between Xylem and Manchester City Football Club.

The magical water drop Splash and his friends are just the beginning. Keep an eye on this space for more exciting titles, and other developments that help children and their communities take stewardship of water. Children are our future, but there is no future without water. By combining the two worlds, we know water will be in good hands.

If you are an educator, parent or water activist and would like to know more, don’t hesitate to contact Xylem Watermark at craig@growza.co.za.

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