Goal 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation
Clean water is an essential part of our daily lives. Many of you took a hot shower last night, went to a toilet that flushes with water or cooked pasta or rice with clean water while drinking from the tap. Yet, many people around the world don’t have access to clean water and ways to deal safely with human waste. This can be because of many different reasons, such as a city that might not have a working sewage system or waste water treatments. This has severe consequences as people get sick from unclean water and germs can spread more easily.
Not having access to clean water also has an impact on other parts of our lives. If you don’t have clean water to prepare your food, you might get sick and not be able to attend school or meet your friends. Having clean water is important to help us achieve many other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), like Goal 4: Quality Education. When we have access to clean water, we are healthier, can go to school, learn new things and live an active life.
Our new reading list covers many of these topics and we hope the stories will inspire you to take action for all children to have access to clean water and toilets.
The SDG Book Club makes content available in the six official languages of the United Nations – please see our other pages for more recommendations in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish.
On the importance of reading
One Well -The Story of Water on Earth
Beautifully illustrated, this book helps children better understand how essential water is to our lives, and the impact of environmental demands, including population growth and pollution on our finite water resources. This book will appeal to the confident reader.
Author: Rochelle Strauss | Illustrator: Rosemary Woods | ISBN: 978-1553379546 | Publisher: Kids Can Press
Water Stories from Around the World
This collection of stories delights because of its diversity. Each story is attractively illustrated, and will appeal to young readers. The stories show why achieving SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation matters, and that it matters to everyone everywhere.
Authors: Various | Illustrator: Nirupama Shekhar | ISBN: 9788181468192 | Publisher: Tulika Publishers
Gizo, Gizo – A Tale from the Zongo Lagoon
Delightfully illustrated, this lyrical and timely story-fable reveals the interconnectedness of life – and that we are responsible for our environment because it belongs to all of us. Through the story of a greedy spider who carelessly pollutes the lake, thereby damaging lives and his community, the reader is shown the impact of water pollution. The enduring friendship of the tortoise, frog and spider, illustrates the power of friendship in shaping attitudes and behaviour. The story of the spider finally coming to understand why he is also responsible for nature’s well-being, clearly illustrates the message that we all need to look after our planet, regardless of who we are. The book will appeal to readers of all ages.
Author and Illustrator: Emily Williamson & students of the Quranic School in Cape Coast | ISBN: 9789988860325 | Publisher: Sub-Saharan Publishers
Reading is a great way to better understand what people from across the globe struggle with in their everyday lives, and it helps us reflect on our own situation. But reading is just the first step: now it’s time to share your book club experiences and how you plan to take action. Each month, we will feature a couple of book clubs on our blog, so get ready to share your story through social media, by using #SDGBookClub and tagging @UNPublications.
We encourage you to host book club meetings around the world and share your photos via hashtag #SDGBookClub. If you would like to organize a public book club meeting, we recommend contacting your local book store, library or school and set it up with them. Please share the planned event on social media using #SDGBookClub and we will add it to the list of events. Click the button below to download our tips to organize a successful event!
Help us spread the word by downloading our promotional materials. You will find a horizontal banner, bookmark, placard and easy-to-print sign-up sheet for your friends, family and community to join the SDG Book Club!
The International Publishers Association (IPA) is a federation of publishing associations from around the world. The main mandate of the IPA is to promote and defend copyright, support the freedom to publish, promote literacy and reading. IPA is an accredited NGO in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the UN. IPA supports the SDGs and works particularly closely with WIPO and UNESCO.
The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. It is the global voice of the library and information profession. Founded in 1927 in Edinburgh, Scotland at an international conference, we celebrated our 90th birthday in 2017. We now have more than 1,300 Members in nearly 150 countries around the world. IFLA was registered in the Netherlands in 1971.
The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) is a non-profit organization that represents an international network of people from all over the world who are committed to bringing books and children together. Today IBBY comprises 79 National Sections worldwide.
The European & International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) represents national booksellers associations in the European Union and beyond. EIBF Members in turn have in membership booksellers of all kinds: brick and mortar bookshops, online bookshops, independents, chains.
The Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF) is the most important international trade fair of the children’s publishing industry. With over 50 years of experience, BCBF has succeeded in bringing together a unique and diverse global audience: the result is the world’s premium copyright business hub when it comes to publishing with an extra core that extends to all multi-media content for children.