Author Alma Fullerton • Illustrator Karen Patkau
Pajama Press 2012
Ages 5-8
In a small Ugandan village, Kato wakes early to start the long, barefoot trek beyond his village and along fields dotted with cattle and guarded by soldiers. His destination is the village well, where he will pump a day’s supply of water into two jerry cans. Like every day, Kato lets the water splash over his hot, tired feet before carrying his heavy load back home, where his chores await him. But this is no ordinary day. The aid-worker’s truck has come to the village square, and in the back is a gift so special, the little boy rushes home to look for something to repay the aid-worker. Alma Fullerton’s spare, lilting prose tells a deceptively simple story of one day in a little boy’s life. But as Karen Patkau‘s striking illustrations reveal, in a place ravaged by a generation of civil war and drought, a village well brings life, a gift of shoes is a cause for celebration, and a simple flower becomes an eloquent symbol of peace and gratitude.
LOOK INSIDE
AWARDS & HONOURS
• Kentucky Blue Grass Award Nominee 2015
• Blue Spruce Award Nominee 2014
• Bank Street Books Best Books of the Year for Children and Young Adults 2014
• White Ravens 2013 Choice
• Children’s Literature Roundtables Information Book Award 2013 finalist
• Canadian Children’s Book Centre Best Books Spring 2013 Selection
• Kirkus Starred Review
• Ontario Library Association 2013 Best Bets for Children
REVIEWS
• “A pleasure to read aloud … Expertly crafted … reminds readers of the pleasure of small things.” – Kirkus Starred Review
• “The double gesture of kindness — the good trade — projects a strong spirit of generosity and gratitude, traits as universal as the appeal of a gift of cool new sneakers.” – Publishers Weekly
• “The large images are full of subtle details … The text is spare and poetic … Young readers will enjoy this sweet day-in-the-life snapshot.” – School Library Journal
• “The artwork is a perfect match for Fullerton’s understated text. Together they provide an enriching insight into one boy’s life in a distant country, and the preciousness of peace and goodwill.” – Canadian Children’s Book News “We Recommend”
• “The text and the images are both complex and simple: concept easy, content load heavy” – Highly Recommended – Canadian Materials
• “… this gentle story … [suggests] small joys can be found in imperfect places.” – Quill & Quire
• “A Good Trade is an eloquently told, beautifully illustrated, and heartfelt story.” – Resource Links
KAREN PATKAU 