Under the Mango Tree

by Chris Field, Gretchen Nickson (Illustrator)

This is a story about friendship and freedom, a story that will encourage all children to be world changers.

Come on a journey to Ghana, Africa, where some little boys and girls are forced to work from morning until night. Watch closely as visitors come into a village and make friends with the people there, teaching them a new and better way to fish that does not require the labor of small boys and girls. Celebrate freedom as these children return to their families and get to play and attend school for the first time. Discover how every life has the chance to tell a beautiful story.

******

Four years ago, Chris Field and his wife Stacey started a non-profit working in Ghana, Africa to help rescue children who had been trafficked into the fishing industry. Since then, their non-profit Mercy Project has been on an amazing journey that has led to the rescue of 46 children who have now been reintegrated back into their families and are all attending school.

This children's book is the true story of Mercy Project's innovative process of partnering with fishing villages who own children and of walking alongside people who need help rather than offering quick fixes or band-aids. Complete with words in the native African language and rich discussion questions for all ages, this book is written in a way that will spark meaningful conversation between parents and children and encourage young ones (and their parents!) to use their lives to make a difference.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2014

Reviews

[Lindsey Lawntea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Under the Mango Tree is a touching story told by the sky about child labor in Ghana with an empowering message that children can change the world. It begins with an overview of the sky watching happy children play and learn, then travels to Ghana where children do not have the privilege of toys, food, warm beds, and education. The children fish on boats for long hours in dangerous waters. But the arrival of a group of strangers carries the key to changing the lives of the villagers for the better.

The book can teach lessons such as appreciating what you have, trying to make the world a better place, and considering the impacts of your decisions and how they affect others.

Words from Ghana accent the story and are included in a dictionary in the back. Bonus content also includes information about The Mercy Project and discussion questions for children of all ages at the end.

I received a free digital ARC via NetGalley.

[Jeanne Travers · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the pages of this book, the reader is introduced to the child labor camps of Ghana, Africa. The narrator, "The Sun," observes children playing in the water and enjoying life, as the story opens. But, then we are shown a view of children who are not so lucky. Instead, they spend their days being forced to fish in the dangerous waters. This very heavy theme is carried in a way that offers hope. The Mercy Project is introduced near the close of the book and illustrates how people are working to change the destiny of these children. This book is very well done and could be used to enlighten people of all ages.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really affected by this story; more than I thought I would be. I liked the idea of The Sky telling the story from the outside looking in, keeping in the touch with the feel of Ghanaian culture. I liked that rather than bursting in and dictating change, the "visitors" shared ideas that helped everyone take care of their needs and want to make the changes themselves.... that their solution improves the whole community. My children's school fund raises regularly each year for backpacks and shoes to help African children go to school and glasses to help both the young and old read. This is the sort of book that would be perfect to read around those times because even though the methods are different, the general principles are the same.

I loved that even the illustrator was selected from within the Mercy Project organization; the beautiful art on every page has personal relevance her. I wish the ebook I have included a "read to me" option where Chris Field's passion would be recorded and heard as we listen to the story.

There are some books you can read for the first time with your kids but I recommend you read through it first on your own. The end of the book is where the pronunciation guide for the Ghanaian words, age appropriate discussion questions and a brief blurb about the Mercy project, author, illustrator and inspiration for this story can be found.

This would be great to read to children especially if their school fund raises for projects such as this one or their family/friends value the ideas in this book. Personally, I could see the book being read a couple times to my boys but not read to excess like other children's favorites. I hope the ideas book will linger long after the reading the story.

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book meets its goal of sharing the story of trafficked children in Africa in a way that other children could relate to without being frightened. It is beautifully illustrated and relates what is happening in fishing villages in Ghana, Africa, as a result of the Mercy Project. It is a heart breaking scenario with a more positive outcome and the story is shared in a manner that makes the reader want to continue to make a difference to the lives of trafficked children. I hope this book helps raise both awareness and funds to help everyone involved in this project - go to http://mercyproject.net/ to learn more about this.

Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley too
for letting me read this book in exchange for this, an honest review.

[Masanori · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a very interesting book, a lot of african vocabulary used in this book so was a bit challenging to understand at some parts but after a few rereads the story was clear, it different compared to other simple local books and I like it because the setting of the story and the language used in the book is very new to me.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the telling of the story about how things are different in other places. This book is a good opportunity to share with your child different cultures and ways of other lands, opening the door for opportunities to volunteer and make a difference. The artwork was very nice too.

[Jane Dance · Rating 5 out of 5]

A strong message simply stated with beautiful words and illustrations. A book to be shared.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I received a digital galley of this book through NetGalley.