Normally, I review nonfiction picture books, and I have a fantastic one on order. I hope I’ll have it in time for next week. In the meantime, the brightly colored cover of this historical fiction caught my eye at the library.
TITLE: A Good Trade
AUTHOR: Alma Fullteron
ILLUSTRATOR: Karen Patkau
PUBLICATION INFO: Pajama Press, March 15, 2013
ISBN: 978-0986949593
SOURCE: library
INTENDED AUDIENCE: ages 5 – 8
GENRE: historical fiction
OPENING and SYNOPSIS:
“In a small Ugandan garden, a single poppy blooms white in a sea of green.”
This quiet story follows a Ugandan boy as he pumps a day’s supply of water at the village well. Although the day starts ordinarily enough, this day is special. The aid workers’ truck has come with a gift.
THEMES/TOPICS: culture, gratitude, geographic
WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: Patkau’s bright illustrations originally caught my eye. I grabbed this lyrical book to teach my children about a corner of the world they have no other way to experience. Fullerton shows life in this war-torn part of the world in an age-appropriate way.
RESOURCES/ACTIVITIES:
- I think the best activity would be to grab a nonfiction book about the country to learn more. There were plenty on my library’s shelves. You could also go online to learn more at sites like TIME for Kids, which depicts a day in the life of another Ugandan child, Racheal.
- Using Kato’s day and Racheal’s day, map your day. Draw a picture or write what you do in the morning, afternoon and evening. How is your day the same as Racheal’s and Kato’s? How is your day different?
- Play a Ugandan children’s game. Send A Cow has a list …. here.
Every Friday bloggers review “Perfect Picture Books.” Find a complete list of book reviews organized by topic, genre and blogger at author Susanna Leonard Hill’s site.
Kirsten W. Larson 
I saw this book advertised somewhere else online. It looks great! Sounds like a similar story with Linda Sue Park’s A Long Walk to Water.
I haven’t read Linda Sue Park’s book. I’ll have to grab it. Although this book begins with a walk to water, the main action is really the surprise that he finds in the aid workers’ jeep. It’s a beautiful story.
I really like these stories of childhood in other countries. This looks like a good one. Thanks!
I strongly believe that my two children don’t realize how lucky they have it. I love these stories that share what being a child is like around the world.
I can see why the cover caught your eye, Kristen! And this looks and sounds like a wonderful book. I love your activities too! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
P.S. I added your link to the list because I didn’t see it on there and see here that not many people have visited today…
Susanna, thanks for posting my link. I thought about asking you to do it, but I know how busy you are. We were out of town…at Disneyland!
The opening of this book sounds so lovely, and honestly that isn’t what I would have pictured. I think I need to read this. Thanks, Kirsten.
Wendy, it’s beautiful, and I’m sure you would love this book.
Lovely choice! I love cultural fiction like this. Your activities really got my mind working. I am looking forward to sharing this one with the kids and mapping our day. Thanks!
Oh, yay! I’m glad you found the activities useful, Joanne!
The cover is great! I like the opening! 😀
Aren’t the illos beautiful. I love the bold colors and clean lines.
So important for children to learn about cultures less fortunate than theirs, and visit if at all possible. Good one!
Jarm, we are hoping to take our children to other parts of the world some day when they are bit older. My husband lived in Africa growing up, and I lived in Saudi Arabia and Germany. I definitely want to raise kids with a global perspective.