One Boy's Choice: A Tale of the Amazon

by Sueli Menezes, Annika Siems (Illustrator)

Overview

On the bank of a river in the Amazon, a boy learns from his grandfather about a father fish that cares for his offspring, and the importance of preserving the species for future generations.

A little boy of the Amazon is excited to go on his first fishing trip with his grandad. He wants to catch the biggest fish! After hours of drifting among the water-lilies, at last they capture a huge Arowana. But, as Grandad explains, sometimes catching the biggest fish isn't the best way to preserve the river's bounty. This is a story of environmental awareness that also touches on fatherhood and the importance of living in harmony with nature. Perfect for our times.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781662650031
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	09/29/2020
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.40(w) x 11.50(h) x 1.60(d)
Lexile:	AD560L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Sueli Menezes, born in the state Amazonas, Brazil, has lived in Austria since 1988. She's an independent artist and author. Ever since her childhood she's had a strong bond with the culture and nature of her birth- place, which she employs in this book. She is the author of minedition's Nino's Magical Night.

Annika Siems was born in 1984 near Hamburg, Germany, and studied fashion before switching to illustration at the College for Applied Sciences in Hamburg and Image Imprimé at the École nationale supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. She's inspired by the endless inventions of nature and by her travels.

Editorial Reviews

A National Council for the Social Studies
CBC Notable Trade Book

“The understated story allows readers to see a community living close to the natural world and they will appreciate a tale in which a young person has an important decision to make." — The Horn Book 

"Menezes’s words and Siems’s portraits of the Amazon’s miraculous profusion of life make readers long to know more." — Publishers Weekly  

"A thoughtful contemplation on how our actions affect life on our planet." — Kirkus Reviews

★★★★★”Simple yet nuanced…. The story is all the more thought-provoking because of the detailed earth-toned watercolor illustrations that depict the beauty of the Amazon and the wild and plant life that call it home….Young readers who enjoy "eco-fiction" will find this to be an enjoyable read. Those wishing to introduce youngsters to more diverse selections will appreciate the indigenous characters and the Amazon backdrop." — Youth Services Review

"Lovely illustrations provide the perfect backdrop for this tender story of environmental awareness and the choices we make." — Kendal Rautzhan, Books to Borrow, Books to Buy, syndicated column

"We read dozens and dozens of books and I love it when I see one make a particular impact on my children….My kiddo was riveted to the story and they were so sweetly impressed with the young boy’s choice of selflessness and sacrifice in the story….rewarding and powerful.” — Booknerd Mommy

"A beautiful book….highly recommend[ed]. Read it to children, grandchildren and students." — Kiss the Book Jr. blog

From the Publisher

2020-05-03
In this story translated from German and set in the Amazon jungle, a boy and his grandfather go on an all-day fishing outing.

A young boy looks forward to going fishing with his grandfather and to bringing home a big fish that he hopes will put an end to his being laughed at by his friends. Exuberant illustrations that overflow their pages set the stage for the story. Grandad and child—who appear to be Indigenous—navigate their canoe through lush mangroves and past the magnificent Victoria amazonica lily pads as enormous fish swim beneath them. As they set their bait and wait, then wait some more, then move on to another spot and cast their net, Grandad tells the boy stories of the different fish that live under the water lilies. When they eventually catch a big arowana, the boy is dismayed when his grandfather wants to release it. The male arowana carry their young in their mouths, so catching the adult fish implies killing its young as well. Grandad tells the boy “You must decide what is more important—taking the fish to show your friends, or letting this dad and his children live peacefully in the great river.” For another glimpse at life in the Amazon rainforest, read also Along the Tapajós by Fernando Vilela and translated by Daniel Hahn (2019).

A thoughtful contemplation on how our actions affect life on our planet. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews