Pajama Press

Kato cannot believe his eyes when he sees what is in the aid-worker’s truck; how will he show his thanks for such a great gift?

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.

Awards and Honours:
2013 White Ravens Choice
2013 Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award finalist
2013 OLA Best Bet
2013 CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens selection
2014 OLA Forest of Reading Blue Spruce Award nominee
2014 Bank Street Best Book
2015 Kentucky Bluegrass Awards nominee

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

“Overall, I liked A Good Trade, and believe that it can be used to launch a discussion about gratitude and what it’s like to live in a third world country.”—Musings of a YA Reader