Luz Makes a Splash by Claudia Dávila

Today's read seems to be perfect for the heat in upcoming July. It's the second in the Luz series, and I did not read the first one. I'm pretty sure this won't be an issue, though. Also, this series hit the shelves already in 2012 and is getting a slightly new look. That's great because I wouldn't have noticed it otherwise. Not only do I love the theme... I mean, who doesn't love to splash in water outdoors when it get warm outside? But I also like the short length of under 100 pages, especially for the middle grade audience. And it's a graphic novel, which is also fun. Add that this book is still being published, and it's sure to be a treat.

Grab those towels because it looks like we're in for tons of fun.

LUZ MAKES A SPLASH

Luz #2

by Claudia Dávila

Kids Can Press

Middle Grade Fiction

Graphic Novel

96 pages

ages 8 to 12

With a heat wave and a drought threatening the city's water supply, Luz and her friends dive into the fight to save the swimming pond and Friendship Park. This graphic novel includes a guide on how to make a water-wise garden.

AMAZON    /     GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Summer heat mixes with water conservation ideas and working together to create an entertaining read.

Luz and her friends are practically melting thanks to the hot summer heat. Unfortunately, the constant high temperatures are also putting a strain on the local water supply. When Luz and her friends head on a day trip, they discover that the swimming pond is going dry thanks to a nearby cola company, which is using the water for their manufacturing process. When Luz returns home, she learns that the water shortage is now causing more problems: no day showers, dying gardens, and more. She knows she has to do something to help this disaster but isn't sure where to really start.

This book dives head first into environmental issues and concentrates on water conservation. While one plot has Luz and her family trying to figure out the bigger issue with the manufacturing company and the swimming pond, other problems such as a dying plants create a multi-layered tale. The message is very clear and melds with the tale to grab, especially, environmentally minded readers. Some situations are a bit exaggerated, but this also raises the tension and keeps those pages turning. It hits on solutions such as filtering gray water, mini-wetlands, and rain barrels. So, there's a nice learning factor involved.

The illustrations stick to blues, whites and blacks, and they bring across each scene nicely. Some graphic novel readers might wonder why full colors weren't used since this tends to be more standard, anymore. The text drives the story forward and doesn't weigh down. Add the shorter length, and this is very fitting for the younger end of the middle age group. 

All in all, it's an entertaining tale with some inspiring ideas and awakens awareness for the importance of handling water wisely.

And here she is...

In a world that’s becoming ever more digitized, Claudia Dávila remains a believer in and appreciator of books you can hold in your hand. She writes, illustrates and designs books for kids of all ages, with stories and themes that encourage children to be strong, thoughtful, compassionate and responsible people.

Claudia is the former art director of Chirp and Chickadee magazines, the author-illustrator of the award-winning graphic novel series Luz Goes Green and the picture book Super Red Riding Hood, and she is the illustrator of the Nansi graphic novel series and Thunderboom. Claudia was born in Santiago, Chile, and now makes her home in Toronto, Ontario, with her husband and their two children.