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“In this poignant, wordless picture book, a ferocious storm separates two friends. …Adrift at sea, the lost child avoids oceanic creatures under the moonlight, eventually washing ashore on unfamiliar land. There, a community of black-haired, blue-skinned people welcomes the young newcomer, who resurrects the mango tree on new soil to send a message back home. Inspired by youthful experiences per an author’s note (presented in both English and Spanish), Cuban American Rodriguez’s latest is a touching tribute to the uplifting joys of friendship and the thrilling unknowns of adventures, told with acute detail from a child’s perspective.”

– Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

The Mango Tree / La Mata de Mango

Written by Edel Rodriguez
Illustrated by Edel Rodriguez
Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers

In a quiet village on a small island, two boys spend their days in a mango tree. High above the rest of the world, they play, take naps in the shade, and eat mangoes together. But after a huge storm sweeps one boy out into unknown waters, he finds himself alone in a strange new land, where everything is different and unfamiliar.

In this poignant, personal story, internationally celebrated Cuban American artist Edel Rodriguez brings to life his childhood experience as an immigrant to the US. Taking readers on a fantastical journey into the unknown, The Mango Tree (La Mata de Mango) is a tale of new experiences, the bonds that connect us to home, and a friendship that endures across time and borders.

Primary ISBN: 9781419745867
Publication Date: June 2024
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Picture Book, Age 04 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , ,

Setting: Unspecified

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: On Journey, Immigrant

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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