The World's Poorest President Speaks Out

by Nakagawa Gaku (illustrator), Andrew Wong (Translator), Kusaba Yoshimi (Editor)

"A poor person is not someone who has little, but one who needs infinitely more, and more, and more." Thus spoke José Mujica, then the President of Uruguay, before the United Nations in 2012. Paraphrasing the wisdom of the great thinker Seneca, he asked the world to question the dogma of consumption that has driven us into environmental and economic crisis. Often referred to as the worlds “poorest” president, in part because of his practice of donating 90% of his $12,000 monthly salary to charity, José Mujica lived his words and proved that one need not have money to be rich. In The World’s Poorest President Speaks Out, José Mujica’s famous speech comes to life as he asks us to remember our neighbors, our children, and the Earth.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, Politics, Biography, Poverty, Environment

40 pages, Hardcover

Published August 18, 2020

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book that will make children (and adults) think about what truly is important - liked the art very much. Looks at the life of José Mujica (President of Uruguay) and how he tried to live his life closer to the way the people lived. I knew very little about him, but this book has made me want to learn even more about his life.

[Tasya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an e-ARC from Edelweiss Plus in exchange for an honest review

This is a really short and beautiful book! I've heard of this president who gave away 90% of his salary, but I know nothing of his lifestyle, barely remember the country he's from, and never heard of his speech in the UN.

This book does a beautiful job in introducing us to the figure, Jose Mujica, and the lifestyle he leads. However, the main thing this book focuses on is on his speech about climate change at the 2013 UNGA. In his speech, he focuses on how our market culture, consumerism, and individualism are the ones destroying the planet- not only by depleting our natural resources but also because it is an unsustainable measure of happiness, of wanting infinite "more". I think it's a really important and great speech, and I love how this book chooses to introduce it to the next generation. The illustration style is also beautiful and I love the bold color palette.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you heard about former president of Uruguay, Jose Mujica? If you haven't, I urge you to find out about him. He is known as the "world's poorest president" because while president he donated almost all of his salary to the poor.

This picture book is the text of his speech to the United Nations in 2012. Listen to a bit of it: "Now, let us ask: What is the future for humanity? What path should we take? As leaders we have come together, united in spirit, to talk about our future. We all know that things cannot go on as they are. Something must change!"

In his speech, Jose Mujica asks hard questions, important questions, and he offers examples from his own country as ways to make things better.

This book was originally published in Japan where Mujica is considered a folk hero.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to think of the Uruguayan president saying this in Brazil and then this book being created in Japan and then translated for the US.

The speech does have a Marie Kondo feel to it -- we should focus on a few things and not many, and not want extra stuff that clutter up our lives and our world.

There's a big focus on not wanting more and more and more all the time, but being happy with what you have.

[Tayler K · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, I've gotta give a shout-out to the cover art and production design, because I really think it's that raised white title on the textured blue background and that cow's face which really got me to pick up this book.
And I'm glad it did.

This book is a translation of Uruguayan President Jose Mujica's speech at the Rio+20 Summit in 2012.

Simply put, it's the truth.

Mujica, a farmer, continued to live on his farm with his wife during his presidency and donated 90% of his presidential salary to charities.

In his speech, he said that the common way of life for many people--constant production and acquisition, working long hours to pay off debts--is not sustainable for the planet's resources, and not good for people's lives. Does this lifelong quest for "more" actually make us happy? And how long can it last for the planet?

"Shared human happiness is the greatest treasure of all."

I don't remember ever hearing about Jose Mujica before seeing this book. I am glad to know about him.

[Jeimy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The former president of Uruguay's speech to the U.N. Conference on Sustainable Development and Human Happiness (Rio de Janeiro, 2012) is illustrated in this simply stunning book. Mujica is a much admired folk hero for his humility and humanitarianism. If you have not heard of him, I suggest you look him up.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book! It teaches practical politics, and teaches about the need to help the environment. It features a president who is not wealthy or arrogant, but who gives almost 90% of his salary away for the needs of others! What a lesson to the rest of us!

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

(J-NF) an inspiring speech (complete worth wonderful illustrations focusing on shared happiness being the greatest treasure of all; 2019 hardback via Madison County Public Library, Berea, per the recommendation of the Berea Child Librarian; unnumbered pgs.

[Arminzerella · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Jose Mujica was president of Uruguay, he donated most of his salary to help his country's poor, and gave a speech, which is shared in the text of this book, at a conference of world leaders addressing our planet's environmental crisis. His message is simple, but powerful. We are not born into this world to make money and buy things, but to find happiness and to care for the Earth and for one another. While is no longer president, he is still politically and socially active. Readers may be eager for more information about Mujica after reading this, and want to know what they can do to help make a better world for everyone.

[Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

La muerte de 'Pepe' me motivó a leer algunas de sus verdades sencillas y profundas y este libro era justo lo que estaba buscando.

Con profunda tristeza despedimos al querido 'Pepe' Mujica, un hombre de principios, humildad y enorme humanidad. Su vida de generosidad, sencillez y coherencia nos inspiró a mí y a tantos otros. Gracias por tu ejemplo. Acompañamos al pueblo uruguayo en esta gran pérdida.

"El poder no cambia a las personas, solo revela quiénes son en realidad."

[Jes Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew nothing of the President from Uruguay for whom this book was written about. A powerful speech with vibrant illustrations and a topic that is both timely and important. A great book to share with 2-6 graders, each level able to understand more and more of the book as they age.

A great addition to a school or public library.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If only more people would listen to what this man has to say. It was profound and necessary. Too bad it is going unheeded.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

José Mujica served as Uruguay’s president from 2010-2015. During that time, he donated 90% of his salary to charities; that is, he kept $1,250 a month. Rather than move into the presidential residence in the nation’s capitol after being elected, he stayed on his wife’s farm, raising chrysanthemums and chickens (all free-range, apparently). Rather than be driven about in a chauffer-driven limousine and a cortege of armed guards, he drove himself to and from the capitol in his ‘60s-era VW Beetle. Under Mujica, “the Uruguayan economy . . . post[ed] consistent growth in GDP and per capita GDP while maintaining low unemployment rates.” It also became “the first South American country to allow abortions up to the 12th week of pregnancy,” and “the second country in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage.” However, despite these significant achievements, “Mujica was constitutionally prohibited from seeking a second, consecutive term” (Encyclopedia Britannica). (Sure, term limits are a great idea when leaders suck. But. . .)

In 2012, he was invited to speak at the Rio +20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. The World’s Poorest President begins at the start of Mujica’s day then: working his fields with a tractor; feeding his chickens, then his dogs, then himself; putting on clean clothes; and finally driving off in his Beetle to Rio de Janeiro to give his speech. The text of the book is an edited version of that speech.

Our civilization is based upon eternal expansion of consumption, he says; and expansion depends upon focusing on how to make more money for ourselves rather than on how to make lives better for everyone. Ultimately, we cannot agree on the terms of sustainability if we live according to the principal of attending to our personal needs at the expense of those worse off than ourselves: "My message is very simple: Economic growth and progress must add to human happiness: having satisfying relationships with others; raising children; making friends; spreading love in the world."

Note: Although this is a picture book, it is definitely one that will require an older reader for the text. The pictures are great and can be de-coded pretty easily. But the text is (I’m guessing) at the 6th or 7th grade level.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

The World's Poorest President Speaks Out is a children's picture book edited by Yoshimi Kusaba, illustrated by Gaku Nakafawa, and translated by Andro-Ryuo Wong. It is a picture book imported from Japan and based on a speech given by José Mujica, President of Uruguay, at the 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

José Alberto "Pepe" Mujica Cordano is a Uruguayan farmer and retired politician who served as the 40th President of Uruguay from 2010 to 2015. As the candidate of the Broad Front, he won the 2009 presidential election and took office as President on 1 March 2010.

Kusaba's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Introductory text by Kusaba lightly frames Mujica’s declamatory speech, which nods to Epicurus and Seneca while discussing what makes a satisfying life. Nakagawa's blocky digital illustrations adroitly illustrate the talk’s themes.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. In 2012, José Mujica, then the leader of Uruguay, gave a speech on consumer culture that echoed around the world. Mujica, "the world's poorest president," lived his values, donating most of his salary and declining official residences and drivers. When he stepped to the podium at the Rio+20 Summit, he spoke from the heart.

All in all, The World's Poorest President Speaks Out is an ideal vehicle to engage children in a discussion on the meanings of poverty, having enough, and social justice.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh gosh. A fable for all ages, but it's true!

Almost a graphic non-fiction; the art should appeal to fans of graphic novels. And if it had been designed just a bit differently, it could have been marketed as such, and would have been more successful. As is, it is still a good design, effectively illustrated and told. Almost all is the man's own words.

The book deserves success. It has an important lesson, one that I'm still studying. For example, I do know that throwing away your microfiber towels and buying bamboo ones is *not* the way to lessen your footprint on the world! Generally the most frugal are the greenest people... and "economic growth and progress must add to human happiness, not take away from it."

And the quote that is in the blurb is actually better in the book: "It is not one who has little who is poor. The one who is truly poor is the one who needs infinitely more, the one who is never satisfied."

Feed your spirit with more nature, more books, more learning, and more family. Consume less stuff, less screen time, fewer resort vacations, less fast food, and less social media.

[Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This awesome translation of President Jose Mujica's speech at the Rio+20 summit in 2012 in which he urges everyone to care for each other and the world. We think we must have a lot to make ourselves happy, but it's actually the opposite. Having lots of things is a burden and leads people to want more and more. President Mujica says that economic growth should add to human happiness instead of taking away from it. "Shared human happiness is the greatest treasure of all." He was called "The World's Poorest President" because he donated most of his salary to the poor, declined to live in the presidential palace so he could stay in his farm and tend to his flowers and vegetables, and continued using his old car instead of being chauffeured in the presidential vehicle. He practiced what he preached.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really love the theme of this book, but even though it's intended for kids, the text is essentially just the words of this president's speech, so not adapted for a kid's level at all. The illustrations, too, are like these metaphors for the corporate world that won't compute with kids. So even though it's an important message it reads as very bland in this format, unfortunately!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

EARC from Edelweiss Plus
What a beautiful message! This is a great book to read as an opening to an economics unit and it's a perfect example of a picture book that should be shared with students of all ages- even those in high school.

[J. Muro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best role model ever on leaders and leadership practise(s). Noticed some Native nations of North & South America, Africa, Australia, and more practiced this before the Industrial Age, and some still do, as well as the Amish (???) Inspiring and hope-filled...

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy through Edelweiss.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a clever way of teaching us about this important speech and leader. It takes something political and environments and makes it accessible for a younger generation. I really liked this book.

[Erin]

A brief introduction, followed by a transcription of his speech. It’s a good speech, focusing on how the consumer lifestyle isn’t going to be sustainable in the long term and basically we need to figure out some other way to live. Taking into account this is a picture book, the speech has a great message, and the book acts as a spark to light the fire for more inquiry.

And it definitely left me wanting to know more about this President of Uruguay, as well as what came out of this conference. Where does the Rio+20 Summit in 2012 fit into the fight against climate change? Where are we now, almost 10 years later? While these questions are beyond the scope of this book, a list of further resources would have been a very useful addition.

[Allison Turkish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so happy I picked up this book off my library’s shelf. I certainly would not have otherwise heard of Pepe (José Alberto Mujica Cordano) and his generosity toward his people.

I do not think the translation into English from Japanese was the most elegant. Perhaps I ought to read the original speech in Spanish.

Nevertheless, I agree with the message that too many people are blinded by consumerism. People should think about how much is ENOUGH and what makes people truly happy. I don’t think it’s owning more stuff.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2012, the President of Uruguay, Jose Mujica speaks before the Rio +20 Summit. He proposed that climate change was not the problem. Rather, are we using the system we have created well? Is the best part of our life the pursuit of economic growth and progress?
Mujica advocates changing our way of life, because shared human happiness is the greatest treasure of all.

[Abbigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice illustrations for being digital. I would say this book is okay, but I gave it 4 stars because I couldn't give it only 3. It feels sort of incomplete as a picture book, but it wasnt originally written as one, so that makes sense. Good as a biography-ish book about a less well-known figure for American children.

[Cyril · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely more of a picture book for adults or older kids, although the illustrations are engaging enough for little kids. The text is powerful and simple enough to be accessible for maybe ages 8 and up.

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting find at the library of a speech (turned picture book) made by an Uruguayan president- Jose Mujica- during an environmental summit in Rio in 2012. It was first translated in Japan.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

The President of Uruguay, Jose Mujica, gave a speech to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, asking people to stop the culture of excess consumerism and waste. And he lived what he preached, donating most of his salary to help others.

[Maren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful message.

[Mackenzie Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5