What does it mean to light up your home using nothing but scrap metal, an old bicycle and a handful of library books?
William grows up in a small farming village in Malawi, where life follows the rhythm of the rains. When a severe drought strikes and his family can no longer afford his school fees, William refuses to stop learning: he teaches himself science from books borrowed at the local library.
Piece by piece, using a bicycle dynamo, PVC pipes and scraps no one else wanted, he builds something his village has never seen before — a windmill that turns wind into electricity, lighting up his family's home and later pumping water for the fields. When the first bulb lights up, it becomes proof that curiosity and hard work can change everything.
As word of his invention spreads, William discovers that his idea can travel far beyond his village: from local newspapers to a TED stage and university halls a world away.
Written for children aged 6 to 12, Will – The Boy Who Befriended the Wind combines an illustrated true story with engaging educational activities, including a renewable energy activity, geography, quizzes, syllables and a word search with a secret message.
A book for young readers who are curious about science, invention and the world around them, and a useful resource for parents, teachers, educators, schools and libraries looking for an accessible way to explore renewable energy, resourcefulness, access to education and perseverance.
Details
- Publication Date
- Sep 11, 2026
- Language
- English
- ISBN
- 9780557880034
- Category
- Children's
- Copyright
- All Rights Reserved - Standard Copyright License
- Contributors
- By (author): Nina Corbil
Specifications
- Pages
- 32
- Binding Type
- Paperback Perfect Bound
- Interior Color
- Color
- Dimensions
- Square (8.5 x 8.5 in / 216 x 216 mm)