The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Picture Book Edition

Great story based on fact that inspired my year 2 class (6-7 year olds). All about sustainability and defying all the odds set against you. Would be good for ages 6-10.

Really love this book. It is well-written and so beautifully, movingly illustrated. There is a photo of the actual boy about whom this story is written, with background about what happened to him and how his story came to light. Can't recommend this highly enough.

wonderful true report of how a 14 year old boy in Malawi with a starving family read books in a library donated by Americans. The books were about windmills and how they could pump water from underground to water farms. He then collected recycled materials such as plastic pipe which he melted to flatten into the shape of blades, an old bike, a small generator from a bike lamp, bearings and bolts etc taken off no longer used equipment. He built a windmill from these materials and brought light and water to his famine struck village, beautiful book, true story

Very very expensive for the content showed in 16 pages (both sides =32). I was expecting story to unfold image after image with some sentences like many other books. My neice finished glancing/reading finished book in 15mins. Everything is at high-level and it's summary.

Themes/Discussion Topics: Self-empowerment, Ingenuity, Africa, English-Language Learning, Hunger, Famine, Education, Role of Libraries, RecyclingInventor William Kamkwamba and journalist Bryan Mealer collaborate with illustrator Elizabeth Zunon to masterfully share with the young reader the story of William's life in drought-ravaged Malawi and his ingenuity that inspired him to build a windmill that would illuminate his life and the lives of those around him.William was forced to drop out of school after a severe drought and famine struck Malawi. Instead of abandoning his education entirely, William started going to the local library in an effort to continue his education. He used the library books to teach himself how to build a windmill and dictionaries to learn English one word at a time.In order to build his windmill, William collected spare bicycle parts, a tractor fan, plastic pipes and other useful items that others had discarded as trash. Although the people in his village thought that he was crazy, he persisted and ultimately succeeded in building a windmill that provided enough electricity to power several light bulbs and two radios as well as provide water for his family.Kamkwamba and Mealer tell the story in a compelling manner that captures and maintains the young readers attention throughout the book. Issues such as poverty, famine and starvation are contrasted with concepts such as imagination, self-empowerment and education in way that a child can understand and appreciate without feeling overwhelmed. Zunon's intensely beautiful illustrations comprised of oil-painted backgrounds with carefully cut pieces of fabric, paper and old photographs create vibrant and textured collages that compliment the text and subtly mirror William's story by assembling old pieces of various materials to create a new whole that at times seem to have a story of their own to tell.Although the story told in the book culminates with the construction of the windmill, William's story does not end with that amazing accomplishment. An update on the final pages about William's life after building the windmill is provided so that the young reader can be inspired by how William's hard work and determination paid off and continues to do so for William.I enjoyed reading The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind with my children and more importantly they benefitted from hearing William's story. The book provided us with an opportunity to discuss important issues like hunger, access to education and the transformative power of science and the imagination. As a parent, I remain appreciative of this heart-warming and thought-provoking book that inspired my children to ask "[c]ould we build a windmill?"

This story is beautiful and follows the same storyline as the movie with a simple format for children. Beautiful pictures. An absolute must for teaching perseverance and how to help your community. Inspiring true story!