By Katie Smith Milway (author) , Eugenie Fernandes (illustrator)
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This is the most delightful story about change. It’s about how one person (or in this case a young boy and a chicken) can make a difference. Although written in the style of a picture book it’s definitely a book to be shared between parent and child or for a child to read alone aged 7 upwards. It’s a story of how reaching out to help someone with a small loan (in this instance enough for a boy in Ghana to buy a chicken) can have a big impact. Indeed the book is multi layered for throughout the full bleed illustrations there’s some short and simple text for the younger child alongside much longer text which provides much more meaning to the whole story. Brilliantly executed and definitely a real favourite of ours. What’s particularly lovely is that the story is based on a real person in Ghana whose real life story is also included in this book alongside a glossary of some Ghanan terms and what you the reader can do to help the poor in countries less fortunate than ourselves.
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.
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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.
'It is heartening to see a text that neither romanticises rural Africa nor depicts its people as victims dependent on Western intervention. The colourful illustrations are joyous. Highly recommended.' The Bookseller
Katie Smith Milway is the publisher and global editorial director at Bain & Company. She guides the transformation of Bain's intellectual capital into external and internal publications, collaborating closely with Bain's practice area directors. Ms. Milway joined Bain in 1994 as a consultant based in Toronto, Canada, and then later in Munich, Germany. She has served a variety of clients across multiple industries and markets on issues including business unit strategy, merger due diligence, change management, and operational improvement. She has also worked as editor and writer for publications such as The Wall Street Journal Europe, The Montreal Gazette, and Time. She holds a B.A. in English from Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, and a master's degree in European studies from the Free University of Brussels, Belgium. She received her M.B.A. from INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France. Birthplace? New Milford, Connecticut.
When did you start writing? I first published my work in grade 3: “The Dusty Box”.
Where do you live now? Wellesley, Massachusetts.
What is your favourite book? To Kill a Mockingbird.
the best books for 9-12 year olds
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.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed One Hen and determined it is suitable for children aged 7-10 years old
One Hen features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Recommendations, Featured Books for 7+ readers
Paperback, Hardback. Not Available.
One Hen was written by Katie Smith Milway and published by Kids Can Press an imprint of Hachette Book Group USA
One Hen has 32 pages
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