My Day with the Panye by Sara Palacios, Tami Charles
Published by Candlewick Press on March 16, 2021
ISBN: 0763697494
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure, Realistic Fiction
Goodreads

Fallon who wants to be a strong woman like her mom is thrilled to go off to market.  As Manman prepares to carry the panye Fallon wraps a scarf around her head in imitation of her mother’s mouchwa.   Charles takes the reader on a tour of Port-au-Prince as mother and daughter walk to the city market.  We view neighbors, foliage, storefronts with French signs and even the famous Haitian tap-tap bus along the journey.  The text seems to sing out with joy as the market comes alive.  The illustrations are balanced between multi colored coverage to large expanses of white space.  Each works as the tale progresses in action and Fallon’s skill increases.

This is a loving tale that speaks to national pride and the strength of women. The author’s note offers a personal touch to a book for students in grades K-3.  Add this cheerful informative picture book to public libraries and primary school media centers.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME