DANCING WITH WATER

A Black child learns the African American tradition of water divining from Grandpa.

Kit’s grandpa has several “magical” talents, but most amazing is his ability to “dance with water.” He digs wells for people all over town so they can obtain water for the basic necessities of life. To find the water underground, he wanders, eyes closed, with a tree branch, then digs a hole and waits. When the water bursts forth from the ground, Kit (who is nonbinary and trans and uses they/them pronouns) is dazzled. Water becomes harder to find when factories and businesses take from the land “without listening.” Discouraged, Kit no longer wants to look for water with Grandpa. But Grandpa says he needs Kit’s help, and they go to the edge of the forest. Grandpa holds Kit on his shoulders as he dances, and Kit feels the power of the water. This time, Kit is the first to break ground. As Kit takes the tradition into their own hands, the teachings of their ancestors—creativity, resilience, resistance, and magic—are passed on to the child. Engel’s textured, richly hued art effectively brings readers into the country setting and into the dance that merges Kit with the water. A powerful nugget of culture and history fits snugly into Wallace’s graceful story.

Imbued with a beauty and strength that will leave a lasting impression.