Based on supermodel Georgie Badiel’s childhood, a young girl dreams of bringing clean drinking water to her African village

With its wide sky and warm earth, Princess Gie Gie’s kingdom is a beautiful land. But clean drinking water is scarce in her small African village. And try as she might, Gie Gie cannot bring the water closer; she cannot make it run clearer. Every morning, she rises before the sun to make the long journey to the well. Instead of a crown, she wears a heavy pot on her head to collect the water. After the voyage home, after boiling the water to drink and clean with, Gie Gie thinks of the trip that tomorrow will bring. And she dreams. She dreams of a day when her village will have cool, crystal-clear water of its own.

Inspired by the childhood of African–born model Georgie Badiel, acclaimed author Susan Verde and award-winning author/illustrator Peter H. Reynolds have come together to tell this moving story. As a child in Burkina Faso, Georgie and the other girls in her village had to walk for miles each day to collect water. This vibrant, engaging picture book sheds light on this struggle that continues all over the world today, instilling hope for a future when all children will have access to clean drinking water.

Once upon a time there were two neighbors, Hare and Tortoise. Although they lived side by side, they did things very differently.

Hare did everything quickly and energetically. But she was so busy that she didn’t always pay attention to the things—or people—around her. Some might say she was too fast.

Tortoise did everything slowly and thoughtfully. But sometimes he took so much time that he had trouble finishing things. Some might say he was too slow.  

What will happen when the two come head to head? In this original spin on a classic fairytale, New York Times bestselling author Susan Verde and illustrator Jay Fleck explore how too much of anything won’t get you across the finish line, and how having a friend to help you find balance is the best thing of all.  

Includes exercises to help YOU find your “just right.”