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  • Published: 31 March 2026
  • ISBN: 9798217111121
  • Imprint: Rocky Pond Books
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 32
  • RRP: $16.99

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Picture Book Edition




Now in paperback and based on the New York Times Bestseller, this STEM biography is the true story of a boy whose great idea and perseverance lit up his home and inspired the world.

The picture book retelling of the New York Times bestseller • Now a Netflix film starring and directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor! A lyrical and gloriously illustrated true story of one boy’s determination to help his community that shows how—even in the worst of times—a great idea and hard work can rock the world.

When a terrible drought struck William Kamkwamba's tiny village in Malawi, his family lost all of the season's crops, leaving them with nothing to eat and nothing to sell. William began to explore science books in his village library, looking for a solution. There, he came up with the idea that would change his family's life forever: he could build a windmill. Made out of scrap metal and old bicycle parts, William's windmill brought electricity to his home and helped his family pump the water they needed to farm the land.

Retold for a younger audience, this exciting memoir shows how, even in a desperate situation, one boy's brilliant idea can light up the world. Complete with photographs, illustrations, and an epilogue that will bring readers up to date on William's story, this is the perfect edition to read and share with the whole family.

  • Published: 31 March 2026
  • ISBN: 9798217111121
  • Imprint: Rocky Pond Books
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 32
  • RRP: $16.99

About the author

William Kamkwamba

William Kamkwamba recently graduated from Dartmouth College. The original version of his memoir The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind was a New York Times Bestseller and a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year. He divides his time between Malawi and San Francisco, California.

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Praise for The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind


Honors and Praise for William Kamkwamba
New York Times Bestseller (original and young readers' editions of the book)
“William Kamkwamba’s achievements with wind energy should serve as a model of what one person, with an inspired idea, can do to tackle the crisis we face.” — Al Gore, former Vice President and Nobel Laureate

Honors and Praise for This Book
Bank Street College Best Children's Books of the Year
Children's Africana Book Award 
NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students 
Amazon Best Books of the Year
Junior Library Guild Selection
"[An] inspiring story of curiosity and ingenuity."—Publishers Weekly
"A powerful, gorgeously illustrated children's picture book."—Boston Globe
"Zunon illustrates handsomely, with contrasting cut-paper-collage details and broad, sere landscapes painted in visibly textured oils."—Kirkus
"Sure to resonate with children who will simply love the curiosity, resilience and resourcefulness of [William Kamkwamba.]"—Wall Street Journal