Water, Water

Author Cary Fagan
Illustrated by Jon McNaught
Look inside
One morning Rafe wakes up to discover his bedroom is floating in a vast sea of water. An unforgettable illustrated novel for ages 10 and up with elements of James and the Giant Peach meets Waterworld and The Road.

One morning Rafe wakes up to discover his bedroom is floating in a vast sea of water. Alone with only his dog for company, Rafe adapts to this strange new world by fishing cans of food out of the water and keeping watch. Boxes float by, as does a woman, playing her cello. Then, one day, Rafe fishes out a young girl, who joins him in his room — they don't speak the same language, but they will face this uncertain future together.
© Josh Levine
CARY FAGAN's kids' books include Hans Christian Andersen Lives Next DoorWater, Water (winner of the Vine National Canadian Jewish Book Award); The Collected Works of Gretchen Oyster; the Kaspar Snit novels; and the Wolfie and Fly chapter book series. He is also the author of many picture books, including Mr. Zinger's Hat (Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award winner), Little Blue Chair, and Bear Wants to Sing.  Cary has received the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People for his body of work.  He lives in Toronto, Canada. View titles by Cary Fagan
JON McNAUGHT draws comics, and works as an illustrator, printmaker and lecturer. His clients include Penguin Random House, Faber, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, Walker Books, Picador and the BBC. He is also a regular cover artist for the London Review of Books. He is the author of Kingdom, Birchfield Close, Pebble Island and Dockwood, which was the winner of the Angoulême Prix Révélation award in 2012. He lives in London, UK. View titles by Jon McNaught
  • WINNER | 2023
    Vine Award for Canadian Jewish Literature
  • LONGLIST | 2023
    Green Earth Book Award
One of CCBC's Best Books for Kids & Teens (Fall 2022)
One of CBC's Best Canadian Books for Kids and Young Adults of 2022

About

One morning Rafe wakes up to discover his bedroom is floating in a vast sea of water. An unforgettable illustrated novel for ages 10 and up with elements of James and the Giant Peach meets Waterworld and The Road.

One morning Rafe wakes up to discover his bedroom is floating in a vast sea of water. Alone with only his dog for company, Rafe adapts to this strange new world by fishing cans of food out of the water and keeping watch. Boxes float by, as does a woman, playing her cello. Then, one day, Rafe fishes out a young girl, who joins him in his room — they don't speak the same language, but they will face this uncertain future together.

Author

© Josh Levine
CARY FAGAN's kids' books include Hans Christian Andersen Lives Next DoorWater, Water (winner of the Vine National Canadian Jewish Book Award); The Collected Works of Gretchen Oyster; the Kaspar Snit novels; and the Wolfie and Fly chapter book series. He is also the author of many picture books, including Mr. Zinger's Hat (Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award winner), Little Blue Chair, and Bear Wants to Sing.  Cary has received the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People for his body of work.  He lives in Toronto, Canada. View titles by Cary Fagan
JON McNAUGHT draws comics, and works as an illustrator, printmaker and lecturer. His clients include Penguin Random House, Faber, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, Walker Books, Picador and the BBC. He is also a regular cover artist for the London Review of Books. He is the author of Kingdom, Birchfield Close, Pebble Island and Dockwood, which was the winner of the Angoulême Prix Révélation award in 2012. He lives in London, UK. View titles by Jon McNaught

Awards

  • WINNER | 2023
    Vine Award for Canadian Jewish Literature
  • LONGLIST | 2023
    Green Earth Book Award

Praise

One of CCBC's Best Books for Kids & Teens (Fall 2022)
One of CBC's Best Canadian Books for Kids and Young Adults of 2022

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