A Good Trade

I love this beautifully rendered portrait of an ordinary day in the life of a boy in Uganda, going to get water for his family. Alma Fullerton's minimal text and Karen Patkau's lush illustrations emphasize show us the boy's struggles to get by, but yet reveal the beauty and dignity of his life also. In the end, the boy sees a beautiful flower, gives a generous gift and is rewarded beyond his imagination. A good trade and a good book.

I am a Librarian in Uganda and really like this book. As we are in Kampala, Uganda, this book hits home for us. The subtle message of the boy going past the soldiers guarding the cows, one of the books characters is an amputee (most likely from a land mine), and an aid truck coming to the village, is all about how people live in an area that is in conflict. This book is fantastic to talk about making the choice to be grateful. The simple story and illustrations are true to Uganda culture. Even in the midst of difficult circumstances, Ugandans are kind people.Cathy Kreutter, Librarian, International School of Uganda

This quiet story follows a Ugandan boy as he pumps a day's supply of water at the village well. Although the day starts ordinarily enough, this day is special. The aid workers' truck has come with a gift.THEMES/TOPICS: culture, gratitude, geographicWHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: Patkau's bright illustrations originally caught my eye. I grabbed this lyrical book to teach my children about a corner of the world they have no other way to experience. Fullerton shows life in this war-torn part of the world in an age-appropriate way.RESOURCES/ACTIVITIES:I think the best activity would be to grab a nonfiction book about the county to learn more. There were plenty on my library's shelves. You could also go online to learn more at sites like TIME for Kids, which depicts a day in the life of another Ugandan child, Racheal.Using Kato's day and Racheal's day, map your day. Draw a picture or write what you do in the morning, afternoon and evening. How is your day the same as Racheal's and Kato's? How is your day different?Play a Ugandan children's game. Send A Cow has a list.