Water

Water is life! Freshwater bubbles, flows and floods with the most wonderful life on Earth - and all of us rely on it to stay alive. BUT today, because of pollution and climate change, it is becoming more and more difficult for people and animals to find the clean freshwater they need to survive. It's time to act! 

Water tells the story of freshwater around the world. Discover the history of water, how the water cycle works, learn about the different kinds of water and about the amazing variety of wildlife that freshwater is home to. Then find out what happens to water because of climate change and global heating; the importance of clean water for health; the worldwide problem of water pollution and the devastating impact of water shortage on children's lives and education. 

Catherine Barr challenges us to take action, to use water wisely and protect freshwater to save our planet.

Catherine Barr is a leading author on science and nature topics for young children, specialising in presenting them in new and exciting ways. She worked for Greenpeace and London's Natural History Museum before becoming a full-time writer. Her previous books for Otter-Barry are Red Alert: 15 Endangered Animals Fighting to Survive; Invisible Nature: A Secret World Beyond Our Senses (winner of the Teach Primary science book prize), both with Anne Wilson; and Wildlife Crossings: Protecting Animal Pathways Around the World, with Christiane Engel. Catherine is an inspiring speaker, who particularly enjoys visiting schools to share her books. Her website is catherinebarrbooks.me, and she lives near Hay-on-Wye.

Christiane Engel grew up in Germany. She has a BA in children's art and an MA in Children's Illustration. Working on information books, she seeks to present important topics to young children in an engaging, respectful way. She works with soft pencil, acrylics, watercolour and digital media. Her most recent book is Wildlife Crossings (Otter-Barry Books, 2024) with Catherine Barr. Christiane lives in Kent, England.