Picture books of the week

Two more new purchases found at my library...

Husband read One Hen, How One Small Loan Can Make a Big Difference by Katie Smith Milway to Number Seven while I worked on the computer the other day: I had to pause to listen with her to this wonderful true tale from Africa of charity, hard work and hope! Read about it on this npr page. Product description:

Inspired by true events, One Hen tells the story of Kojo, a boy from Ghana who turns a small loan into a thriving farm and a livelihood for many. After his father died, Kojo had to quit school to help his mother collect firewood to sell at the market. When his mother receives a loan from some village families, she gives a little money to her son. With this tiny loan, Kojo buys a hen. A year later, Kojo has built up a flock of 25 hens. With his earnings Kojo is able to return to school. Soon Kojo's farm grows to become the largest in the region. Kojo's story is inspired by the life of Kwabena Darko, who as a boy started a tiny poultry farm just like Kojo's, which later grew to be the largest in Ghana, and one of the largest in west Africa. Kwabena also started a trust that gives out small loans to people who cannot get a loan from a bank. One Hen shows what happens when a little help makes a big difference. This help comes in the form of a microloan, a lending system for people in developing countries who have no collateral and no access to conventional banking. Microloans have begun to receive more media attention in recent years. In 2006 Muhammad Yunus, a Bangledeshi economist who pioneered microloan banking, won the Nobel Peace Prize. The final pages of One Hen explain the microloan system and include a list of relevant organizations for children to explore.

   

And on a recent afternoon I had Number Six read aloud this one to me while I folded laundry: Phillis' Big Test by Catherine Clinto. She is a good reader and the story of the slave-writer captivated this listener!  The pages follow Phillis' thoughts as she walks towards her big test and the story of her achievements unfold. Product description:  

In 1773, Phillis Wheatley published a book of poetry. It was a great accomplishment that made her very famous.Only a year before, Phillis had had to take a test to prove that she was the actual author of these poems, because Phillis Wheatley was a slave.Who would believe that an African girl could be the author of such poetry? Phillis did! She believed in herself, and took every opportunity she could to make her life better. She believed in the power of her words, and her writing to prove her talent, and used the power of words to change a life.