Ready, Set, Mango!

by Tamla T Young, Raz Latif (illustrator)

Genres: Picture Books, Food

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 15, 2025

Reviews

[Tanya Kyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tee and Dee have an authentic cousin relationship, full of love and squabbles. When they go to the mango grove, picking quickly becomes a competition over who can find the perfect fruit, and then the perfect pebbles. But the pebbles aren't at all what they seem. I particularly loved the vibrant illustrations of the island market and the mango grove.

[emyrose8 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super funny twist at the end. Great setting, fun story, but I didn't love the characters.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun island adventure, all about cousins and the friendly competition in those relationships.

[Alexis Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter loved this book! She was laughing so hard at the surprise in this book. Great illustration! The book also goes at the perfect pace to keep a young reader engaged in what’s happening. I highly recommend!

[Mrs.MakesReadingFun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! SO much fun!
Vibrant, beautiful illustrations and packed with a powerful message in sharing! Wait for your kids to squeal in surprise at the surprise of the shiny black “pebbles”

I love books that are easy to read aloud to young children, have expressive illustrations, are humorous, AND pack a bit of a message- and this one is it!

Thank you to Owl Kids for this advanced copy to read & review :)

[Jennifer Maruno · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun tale of competetion for picking the perfect mango for their island auntie. The mango selected ends on the ground, but the girls are distracted by the shiny, sparkling pebbles at the base of the tree. When the goat eats the mango they discover exactly what these pebbles are. Children all over enjoy a good "poop" story. Such a humourous way of sharing a cultural experiece with a very funny ending.

[Kate Jenks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming story a the wonderful relationship between cousins Dee and Tee, equal parts loving and competitive. Featuring vibrant, cartoon-like illustrations and a funny twist that kids will love. Light and lovely, this one will be a hit with young readers who love a fun read with a sprinkling of potty humour.

[Deborah Kerbel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful, vibrant, and funny! This is the story of a sweet, loving, and rivalrous cousin relationship during a visit to their auntie's house one summer. An unexpected twist will have young readers laughing out loud. The vivid illustrations are a perfect accompaniment to this bright and lively story.

[Paola Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is full of fun! With fabulous illustrations bursting with vibrant colors, Ready, Set, Mango! tells the story of two cousins, Tee and Dee, who set out to find the perfect mango, but their rivalry often gets in the way. Rivalry and love take center stage in this entertaining tale, where readers can feel the warmth of Jamaican culture.

[Josh Campeau · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had access to an ARC for review purposes. I thought it was okay. The surprise of where the shiny black pebbles come from would be the most engaging part for kids, but over all the story just felt a big generic to me.

[Jennifer Harris]

Heat radiates through the pages of the book. Young captures the joy of spending time with cousins during summer vacation and the adventures that ensue. Graphic illustrations are eye-catching, and sure to appeal to children who love cartoons.

[Alison McGauley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story that is full of playfulness, fun and imagination! Children will relate to the family rivalry, adventure and the search for a perfect treasure! The illustrations are vibrant and captivating.

[Kathy Stinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A picture book that delightfully captures the love and gentle tensions between two cousins as they go about their search for mangos for their aunt. Their surprise discovery along the way will leave young readers in stitches. This is Tamla Young's first picture book. I'll be watching for her next!

[Analene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love mangoes and I love this story! The illustrations are beautiful and vibrant! We get to follow cousins Tee and Dee on an island vacation with their aunt. The girls ‘Ready Set Man-GO’ in search of the perfect fruit, battling and bickering it out along the way in this hilarious picture book.

[Lana Button · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read! Great for talking about sibling rivalry, and the twist at the end is sure to leave readers laughing!

[Mary-Esther Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of fun and energy.

[Cynthia Mackey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunting for treasure and a surprise twist! A great kids' summer read.

[Casey Lyall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great summer read with bright, beautiful illustrations. Tee and Dee are fun pair and I loved the funny twist at the end.

[Dianne Koebel-Pede · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sibling rivalry and precious gems (that turn out not to be gems at all), fostercooperation. Cute story!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When cousins Tee and Dee visit auntie on the island, their competitive side gets the better of them. Surprising, fun, and humorous with authentic social dynamics and beautiful illustrations.

[Nadia L. Hohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and zany. I can imagine students doubling over with laughter.

[Joan Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the cousins as their relationship is very real. Everyone can relate. The book is also humorous and the language is accessible for the primary school aged reader. The artist also deserves a great deal of praise as the images are vivid and beautiful. They capture the energy of the characters and setting very well.