About This Book
Clive King's 'The Night the Water Came' tells the story of a young boy in Bangladesh who survives a catastrophic cyclone that wipes out his entire island community. The narrative follows his immediate experiences with the destruction, the arrival of foreign rescue workers, and his deep-seated desire to return to his familiar way of life. This book is suitable for children aged 4-11, offering a gentle yet realistic portrayal of natural disaster, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit. Parents should be prepared to discuss themes of displacement, grief, and cultural differences, as the boy's perspective on 'help' may differ from what adults expect.
A boy who survives a cyclone that destroys his island home off the coast of Bangladesh is mystified by the efforts of rescue workers and wants only to return to his old way of life.
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Scary Scenes
Discussion Prompts
1
How do you think the boy felt when the cyclone hit? What emotions might he have experienced?
2
Why do you think the boy was 'mystified' by the rescue workers? What might have been confusing or different for him?
3
What does 'home' mean to the boy in this story? How does that compare to what home means to you?
4
The boy wants to return to his 'old way of life.' What are some things that might be hard about starting over after a big change like this?
5
What does this story teach us about being brave and resilient when things are difficult?
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