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Circles of Hope
Everyone brought a gift for baby Lucfa. Facile sat high up in his mango tree and watched. It was the only tree on the whole dusty mountaintop. Papa had planted it for him when he was born. "A strong tree protects its timoun," Papa said. Young Facile wants to plant a tree in honor of his new baby sister, but he faces many obstacles. The first seed he plants is eaten by a goat, the second seed is washed away in a storm, and another seed is burnt by a scrub fire. Will Facile ever be able to plant a tree that will grow strong for baby Lucía?
In this story of determination, faith, and love, author Karen Lynn Williams introduces readers to the realities of rural life in the mountains of Haiti. Imbued with brilliant colors, expressive characters, and vivid landscapes, Linda Saport's illustrations capture the indomitable spirit of hope.
In this story of determination, faith, and love, author Karen Lynn Williams introduces readers to the realities of rural life in the mountains of Haiti. Imbued with brilliant colors, expressive characters, and vivid landscapes, Linda Saport's illustrations capture the indomitable spirit of hope.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 15, 2005
1 person is currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Karen Lynn Williams
24 books17 followersKaren was born in Connecticut, and received her Master’s degree in deaf education. She has lived in Africa and in Haiti. Karen had an early dream to be one of the youngest published authors, starting a writing club at ten. However, Karen's published works came later in life, after extensive travels and family experience. Karen's ability to draw from personal experience and adapt into writing forms for all ages and interests expresses her true gift.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 30, 2021
This books holds sixteen sheets and thirty-two unnumbered pages. The main characters in this story are: (1) Lucia, (2) Facile, (3) Papa, (4) Mama. Other characters are (5) Cousin Solvab and (6) Tonton.
This story takes place outside during the day in the Haitian mountains. The problem in this story is that Facile has no gift for his new baby sister. Another problem is that the tree Facile tries to raise keeps getting taken or damaged. The two solutions are: (1) Facile remembers the mango tree Papa planted for him when he was born, so he follows Papa's example and plants a seed for Lucia. (2) Facile keeps trying to plant the tree even though a goat, rain, and fire get in the way. Eventually Facile does succeed in planting Lucia's tree.
This story takes place outside during the day in the Haitian mountains. The problem in this story is that Facile has no gift for his new baby sister. Another problem is that the tree Facile tries to raise keeps getting taken or damaged. The two solutions are: (1) Facile remembers the mango tree Papa planted for him when he was born, so he follows Papa's example and plants a seed for Lucia. (2) Facile keeps trying to plant the tree even though a goat, rain, and fire get in the way. Eventually Facile does succeed in planting Lucia's tree.
June 18, 2023
Such a sweet book that is rich in history!
September 21, 2024
Location note: Haiti
February 14, 2012
It is not easy to find children's books with an appealing and compellingly timely story. This story is both beautiful and powerful. Children reading or listening to the narrative would learn about the plights of other children in Haiti, and their struggle to cope with unique challenges. After the January 12, 2010 earthquake these challenges have only grown worse, but, as this book tries to show, there is still hope.
The story is about a boy named Facile whose father has taught him the value of trees. He had planted a mango tree in honor of Facile’s birth, and this tree was now generously giving away fruits, shade, and preventing landslides. The father, however, had to leave to find work.
After the birth of his sister Lucia the boy decides to plant his own tree as a gift for her. But without his father around the task becomes really difficult. In fact, three times Facile attempted planting a mango tree without success. The first twig was eaten by a rambling goat. The second was swept away by rains. And the third was scorched by scrub fires.
After each failed attempt Facile asked a grown family member, “How can I plant a tree that would grow strong?” Every time he asked he received an answer that revealed the local Haitian techniques and means to handle the challenge of reforestation. Indeed, deforestation is a conspicuous yet subtle issue throughout the book, illuminating in this way the current environmental crisis in Haiti.
Close to the end, the boy learns from his uncle that he needed éspéré (hope) to make the tree grow. Facile himself also had the brilliant idea of using the many ubiquitous stones to build protective walls around the sprouting seed. Lucia’s tree finally began to grow tall and strong.
And one day, after a long absence because of work in the city, his father arrived home. Facile’s mother, who had sought medical treatment for the baby in the city, arrived too. They were all gladly greeted by the young mango tree that Facile had planted close to the house. Soon the boy’s ingenuity spreads around the community. Other trees, enclosed and sheltered by ordinary stonewalls, began to grow on nearby mountain tops, bringing back the green look these mountains used to have.
With gorgeous illustrations that resemble kids’ drawings, the narrative delicately touches on some of the current Haitian troubles. The abounding dust due to the scarcity of trees, the impact of showers on rootless soil, and the prevalent practice of scrub fires are some of them. The book also deftly considers the labor conundrum and the want of medical care that many households confront in rural sections of the country.
The happy ending with trees budding around mountaintops is not the only positive concept in the story. Facile’s evident resourcefulness and persistence in the face of constant disappointments are simply inspiring. The way in which the boy draws strength and ideas from family members also shows how the extended Haitian family plays such an important role in raising kids. But most importantly, the story reveals how the Haitian people possess the know-how to solve their own problems independently from foreign interference.
The story is about a boy named Facile whose father has taught him the value of trees. He had planted a mango tree in honor of Facile’s birth, and this tree was now generously giving away fruits, shade, and preventing landslides. The father, however, had to leave to find work.
After the birth of his sister Lucia the boy decides to plant his own tree as a gift for her. But without his father around the task becomes really difficult. In fact, three times Facile attempted planting a mango tree without success. The first twig was eaten by a rambling goat. The second was swept away by rains. And the third was scorched by scrub fires.
After each failed attempt Facile asked a grown family member, “How can I plant a tree that would grow strong?” Every time he asked he received an answer that revealed the local Haitian techniques and means to handle the challenge of reforestation. Indeed, deforestation is a conspicuous yet subtle issue throughout the book, illuminating in this way the current environmental crisis in Haiti.
Close to the end, the boy learns from his uncle that he needed éspéré (hope) to make the tree grow. Facile himself also had the brilliant idea of using the many ubiquitous stones to build protective walls around the sprouting seed. Lucia’s tree finally began to grow tall and strong.
And one day, after a long absence because of work in the city, his father arrived home. Facile’s mother, who had sought medical treatment for the baby in the city, arrived too. They were all gladly greeted by the young mango tree that Facile had planted close to the house. Soon the boy’s ingenuity spreads around the community. Other trees, enclosed and sheltered by ordinary stonewalls, began to grow on nearby mountain tops, bringing back the green look these mountains used to have.
With gorgeous illustrations that resemble kids’ drawings, the narrative delicately touches on some of the current Haitian troubles. The abounding dust due to the scarcity of trees, the impact of showers on rootless soil, and the prevalent practice of scrub fires are some of them. The book also deftly considers the labor conundrum and the want of medical care that many households confront in rural sections of the country.
The happy ending with trees budding around mountaintops is not the only positive concept in the story. Facile’s evident resourcefulness and persistence in the face of constant disappointments are simply inspiring. The way in which the boy draws strength and ideas from family members also shows how the extended Haitian family plays such an important role in raising kids. But most importantly, the story reveals how the Haitian people possess the know-how to solve their own problems independently from foreign interference.
August 19, 2013
Facile wants to do something nice for his new baby sister. He decides he should plant her a mango tree like his father planted for him, but Facile soon discovers it is very hard to get a tree to go on the hillside in Haiti. He is about to give up, but he tries one more time by building a circle of hope -- a circle of stones--around the newest attempt.
A cute story about perseverance and kindness, with a little bit of cultural and geographical info on Haiti mixed in. The pictures are unique in style and brightly colored. A nice multicultural picture book addition for any library. It would also be a good pick when talking about different agricultural methods used around the world.
A cute story about perseverance and kindness, with a little bit of cultural and geographical info on Haiti mixed in. The pictures are unique in style and brightly colored. A nice multicultural picture book addition for any library. It would also be a good pick when talking about different agricultural methods used around the world.
March 1, 2014
Circles of Hope was a beautifully written work about a little boy from Haiti who wanted to do something special for his baby sister. I found this book to be both thoughtful and educational with regard to content. The illustrations were colorful and did a wonderful job of depicting what this boy had to deal with as he sought to do something meaningful for someone he obviously cared a great deal about.
I loved the message of this book. I appreciated the simplicity and the emotional tone offered by Williams. The language and cultural lessons were perfect for my d6hca "world travel" unit.
I secured this title from my local library.
I loved the message of this book. I appreciated the simplicity and the emotional tone offered by Williams. The language and cultural lessons were perfect for my d6hca "world travel" unit.
I secured this title from my local library.
April 22, 2011
This is a very powerful and moving picture book about what it is like for a young Haitian boy who is trying to plant a tree as a gift to his new baby sister. I wouldn't recommend it for very small children because I believe the themes in the book to be past their scope of knowledge but I did think that it would be good for older children and adults. The simple charcoal illustrations really evoke a feeling of what Haiti must be like. The pictures feel hot, dusty and simplistic. I liked this book.
November 18, 2009
This story was challenging for me to read but a good storyteller would embrace the tale of Facile who plants a tree for his sister and perseveres despite many obstacles. Bleak illustrations add to the feel of the story.
February 12, 2011
This is a cute book about Haiti and Haitian culture, and I enjoyed the information in the back about the people trying to replant trees. The illustrations are impressionistic, and I thought they were good and fit the book.
October 9, 2013
Circles of Hope is a book about a young child planting a tree to honor his new baby sister. From his determination in this culture of Haiti, the child plants his seed. Children can learn from different cultures and about siblings.
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November 23, 2010special story set in Haiti
July 6, 2018
“You must have hope to plant a tree.”
When Facile was born, his father planted a tree. “A strong tree protects its timoun (child).” With his father away working in the city, Facile tries to plant a seed for his baby sister. But he has trouble protecting the seed. When helping his Uncle clear the stones from the garden one day, Facile has an idea.
When Facile was born, his father planted a tree. “A strong tree protects its timoun (child).” With his father away working in the city, Facile tries to plant a seed for his baby sister. But he has trouble protecting the seed. When helping his Uncle clear the stones from the garden one day, Facile has an idea.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews