In a small Ugandan village, Kato wakes early to start the long, barefoot trek beyond his village and along fields dotted with cattle and guarded by soldiers. His destination is the village well, where he will pump a day's supply of water into two jerry cans. Like every day, Kato lets the water splash over his hot tired feet before carrying his heavy load back home, where his chores await him. But this is no ordinary day. The aid worker's truck has come to the village square, and in the back is a gift so special, the little boy rushes home to look for something to repay the aid worker. Alma Fullerton's spare, lilting prose tells a deceptively simple story of one day in a little boy's life. But in a place ravaged by a generation of civil war and drought, a village well brings life, a gift of shoes is a cause for celebration, and a simple flower becomes an eloquent symbol of peace and gratitude.

 

This book is the winner of numerous awards. It was recognised by the Kentucky Blue Grass Award. It was recognised in the Blue Spruce Award category by the Ontario Library Association Forest of Reading Awards. It also was recognised in the Best Books for Kids & Teens category by the Canadian Children's Book Centre Awards. It was recognised by the Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award. Also it was recognised by the White Raven Award. It was recognised in the Best Bets category by the Ontario Library Association Awards. It was recognised by the Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year.

This book has been graded for interest at 4-8 years.

There are 32 pages in this book. This book was published 2012 by Pajama Press .

Alma Fullerton's free-verse novels for juvenile and young adult readers have earned her multiple nominations and awards, including the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award and the CLA Book of the Year Honour. Her first picture book, A Good Trade, has been a White Ravens Choice, a Bank Street Best Book, and a nominee for the OLA Forest of Reading Blue Spruce Award and the Kentucky Bluegrass Awards. Alma lives in Midland, Ontario. Brian Deines is a fine artist and the award-winning illustrator of over 20 children's books, including A Bear in War, Bear on the Homefront, The Road to Afghanistan, and On a Snowy Night. Dragonfly Kites, part of a trilogy written by Tomson Highway, was shortlisted for the Governor General's Award for illustration and the Ruth & Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award. A graduate of the Alberta College of Art, Brian lives in Toronto, Ontario with his wife and daughter. Karen Patkau is an author, designer, visual artist and visual arts educator. She has illustrated a number of picture books, including One Hungry Heron , Don't Eat Spiders , and . Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Karen lives in Toronto, Ontario.