Dream Village: books for children with a focus on social responsibility.

www.dream-village.org

Party with Heart became acquainted with Dream Village several months ago while searching for children’s books that speak to social and environmental issues in our world.  As a mother, I always sought out books that could offer my children some insight into the larger world we inhabit - one that expands beyond pizza, soccer and dolls (sugar and fun, basically) - to reveal a larger and more complex entity.  I found it with Dream Village.

Armed with the book, Saved by the Well, I sent an email to my children’s school principal and librarian.  I shared with them my desire to read the book and conduct an after school program that I aptly titled, Water & Africa.  On May 20^th, the after school program was full of 2^nd and 3^rd grade students.  Here, you can see a photo of moi reading Saved by the Well.  The program was a success.  We did some reading, shared some facts, watched a video by charity:water featuring children in Africa (www.charity:water.org) and participated in hands-on activities like carrying bottles of pond water on our heads (what we do for our children!).

After all the hoopla, I was happy to see the children interacting and talking about water.  Each child left with a bottle of water that they decorated and labeled.  Some labels read, “Peace Water”, “I’m Grateful for Clean Water”, “Good Water”, “My Clean Water” and my favorite, “Evie’s Yummy Water”.

I always say that talking about making a difference is good, but the action steps one takes are even better.  If you share my desire to educate young people about the larger world around them, buy Saved by the Well and share it with the children in your life. Get them excited, inspired and activated to learn, make new connections and get involved.

Visit us online at partywithheart.com (category-books) to get a copy today!  I might also add that this would make a  fantastic end of the year gift for your child’s school library or classroom.

If you would like a copy of the program I taught in my local grade school using Saved by the Well, email me and I’ll send it right out to you!