The Rain Harvesters

Talking about the book The Rain Harvesters authors Stephen Aitken and Sylvia Sikundar stated, ‘This is the first book in an environmental fiction series that features two young children finding solutions to real-world problems. We are passionate about addressing the climate crisis and hope that India’s ancient rainwater harvesting tradition can help inspire all young readers into action.’

Tina Narang, Publisher – HarperCollins Children’s Books adds, ‘With The Rain Harvesters we are delighted to launch a new series on a theme that is becoming increasingly relevant to our times – saving the environment and the planet! In the aptly titled ‘Chelo! Chelo! Let’s Save the Planet’ series, the author–illustrator duo of Sylvia Sikundar and Stephen Aitken will introduce a variety of environment related concerns through simple stories where young children solve problems in a believable, relatable way. The storytelling is humorous and with a lightness of touch so the reader will feel motivated to act rather than disheartened. So join hands with the amiable Chelo family and help save the planet!’

About the book:

In the village of Shaktipur wells are drying up and crops are failing. The Chelo children, Sunita and Rakesh, go to the river every day with Mango the elephant so Grandma can water her garden with help from Jalebi the monkey. It’s a climate crisis, and a greedy land developer is circling like a vulture to buy up farms at bargain prices. The children discover ways to harvest rainwater. But can they save the whole village against all odds?

The Rain Harvesters is part of a new series that introduces important environmental issues to young readers, such as water pollution, conservation of endangered species, the pet trade and animal poaching, and the harmful impact of pesticides on wildlife and humans.

About the Authors:

Sylvia Sikundar is an author and English language teacher. She writes fiction, and her children’s books are usually set in India or sub-Saharan Africa. She lives on an island off the west coast of Canada, where she is surrounded by nature, which is why she is passionate about its preservation. She is a member of The Writers’ Union of Canada.

Stephen Aitken is passionate about the diversity of life (wild and human), the conservation of animals and plants, and living his life in harmony with our planet. He is a biologist from Ottawa, who writes and illustrates picture books, eco-fiction and environmental non-fiction for middle-grade readers. His latest books are Listen UP! Exploring the World of Natural Sound and Saving the Night: How Light Pollution is Harming Life on Earth for Orca Books. Stephen often works out of his Himalayan studio that he shares with several bashful geckos and an odd orange-eared mouse. He is an active member of The Writers’ Union of Canada.