I loved seeing the various animals performing their requested actions and the way in which they all came together at the end.
When Peacock discovers a delicious mango tree and wishes to enjoy eating one, to his amazement he is told by the tree that he must first sing. Similarly snake and monkey are also told that they must perform an action if they too wish to eat a mango. Other animals in the wood receive the same information. Eventually Papa Bois, who is the protector of the animals and the wood, hears this news and is furious. However, upon approaching the mango tree and sounding his horn, when the fruit falls and the leaves blow away, he and the animals discover to their surprise that the culprit is in fact a mongoose who was playing a joke. The story ends with the characters feasting upon the juicy mangoes.
The bright and colourful illustrations match this text very well. I especially liked the birds' eye view from the top of the tree on pages 2 - 3. This simple tale uses the familiar and traditional theme of repetition which children enjoy. I loved seeing the various animals performing their requested actions and the way in which they all came together at the end.
I noted also that a percentage of the sales will support literacy in the Eastern Caribbean which is commendable.
A great story for younger children with colourful pictures and plenty to talk about with them.
A great story for younger children with colourful pictures and plenty to talk about with them. New readers will also learn - using some repetitive phrases and the pictures to help them work out some of the words if they don't recognise them.
A lovely book to read together and learn at the same time.
A.H.Benjamin has written around 50 picture books for young children over the past 35 years and in his latest, 'The Talking Mango Tree', he shows no sign of running out of ideas for them. He uses a classic format to introduce his readers to a succession of animals trying to solve a riddle and there is a happy ending for all.
The story begins with Peacock taking a fancy to a deliciously ripe mango, only to be told it seems by the tree that he must first sing in order to enjoy a fruit. Other animals come by and all are given a task to perform in return for a snack. However, when Donkey and Bat arrive they are suspicious about this new talking tree and Papa Bois, a Pan-like character who is the protector of all woodland and it's animals, is certainly having none of it in his domain. The puzzle is solved when Papa Bois blows his horn, the mysterious voice is revealed and all the woodland creatures tuck in to a mango fest.
This book is a joy to read and very beautifully illustrated on every page by Daniel J.O'Brien. The animals are real characters and, though Papa Bois may seem a little scary at first, he and all the woodland residents end up enjoying themselves in friendly and good-natured companionship. A lovely book to read together and learn at the same time.