then sees the big yellow truck. "The Water Lady!"
he cheers. "The Water Lady is here!" He
bounds out of the house."
It is morning. Cody is awake and thirsty. There is no water in his cup. In the kitchen his mom is making oatmeal, his older brothers are off to catch the bus, and his baby sister is being fed. When he checks the water bucket in the kitchen, it is also empty.
Not far from Cody's house, Darlene Arviso is preparing for a long day ahead. As she gets her grandchildren ready for their school day, she fills her water glass at the sink. She is grateful to have running water in her home.
Back to Cody's home where there are three big water barrels ... all empty. Cody worries about the animals in the terrible heat of their desert environment. Darlene embarks on her trip around the reservation to pick up children in her big yellow school bus. Once her route is done, and the children are safely in school for the day, her other job begins.
As Cody voices his worry, his grandmother smiles at a secret she is keeping. Her grandson will soon know it, too. The story goes back and forth from Cody to Darlene, until Cody sees the precious water tanker coming up their road. He is delighted to see and welcome Darlene. As she fills their barrels, Cody sings his own water song in celebration of her arrival.
"Darlene will bring water to ten families today and
ten more tomorrow. By the end of the month, two
hundred families will have been served. Then she'll
start all over. She knows the families will make
careful use of their gift ..."
It is always amazing to learn about the quiet heroes who go about making a difference. I very much enjoyed reading about Darlene Arviso and the appreciation felt for the work that she does each month to bring water to her people. They know what a precious commodity water is to their everyday life.
Shonto Begay uses ink and watercolor, and a desert-colored palette to create a setting that helps readers see the dry beauty of New Mexico. He captures color and style in the two home settings, the clothing, and other items of cultural importance to the Navajo people. The smiles are warm, the thanks given with excitement and appreciation. 
An author's note speaks to the fight for wells and clean, always available water. Darlene includes a note as well. She shares the joy she feels at delivering water and sharing stories, and her hope that someday they will not need anyone to haul water for them.
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