Non-Fiction Picture Books Re-tell The News

Visit Alyson Beecher on Wednesdays for Non-Fiction Picture Books at Kidlit Frenzy.  Thanks to her hosting and sharing and those who add their posts, you can discover and celebrate terrific nonfiction picture books!  I always learn from these books, am happy that they are more and more available today for children, for everyone!

        
            I watched with the world, fascinated during this time of high emotions wondering what would happen with twelve boys and their soccer (football) coach missing inside a cave in Thailand, blocked by flooding during the monsoon. A map on the inside covers shows the perilous journey for rescue.
            Susan Hood bases her story on the reporting of Pathana Sornhiran and together, with clear writing becoming more and more tense as the truth of the team's peril becomes real. She has centered the story on one boy, Titan, one of the youngest on the team. Dow Phumiruk fills the pages with gorgeous double-page spreads, many in darkness, showing the cave's vastness along with the boys' worry and the rescuers' movements. As you may remember, they were off on a lark to explore this cave after practice. There was a sign warning not to enter during the time of the monsoon which began in July. It was June 23rd. Unknowingly, heavy rain began while they were in the cave and when they returned to the entrance, they could not get out. 
           The text uses a countdown from the beginning, counting out the days. For ten days they went without food, drinking from drips from the stalactites. They were very hungry, spent time meditating led by their coach who had been trained as a monk. Imagine ten days on a ledge in the dark! At the same time we read of their plight, we also learn of the divers' challenge in their search. It was cold and they had no idea where the group could be. Among many, here is one page showing that moment when two divers appeared; they had found the team!

            You may know how the story ends, with part tragedy, but also many triumphs. The story takes us step by step, day by day until the boys' are safe in the hospital, not even able to see their families until checked for physical problems. They are saved and the world celebrated! 
            Susan Hood adds extra information in the backmatter, including more about the rescue, fascinating facts, how the Wild Boars got their name, a timeline, an interview with two British divers and source notes. The final page shows a special drawing of Saman Kunan, the diver who died during the rescue with the boys surrounding it. I'm glad that this story was told for those who want to know about it or to know more.