Regina HansonBesprekingen

Dora was subject to the teasing of the older kids she walked to school with, convincing her that she wouldn't be able to walk with them anymore if she didn't try to steal a mango from the strange neighborhood lady's yard. Dora learns the lesson that people are not always as they seem, or as people make them out to be. By talking with the "face in the window" instead of judging it from afar, she has the chance to understand Ms. Nella better and realize she's not as scary as she thought after all. I like how the story line really unveils the miscommunication that can occur when you don't get to know someone personally before passing judgement. This was an interesting way for children to read about mental illness, how those who suffer from it are human- gentle, loving, and not to be afraid of.½

A great book about a family in Jamaica with a father who moves to New York in order to support his wife and kids. Little girl Ida can't bear a thought of her papa leaving for a long time but his promise to come back by the time Ida can read well, gives the little girl hope and warm feelings to cope with heartache. Ida also squeezes a tangerine juice into a bottle for daddy to take with him to cold New York. As reader finds out, it is believed that Mistress Sun sprinkles down bits of sun and puts them inside of the tangerines, and I think, that's beautiful. The illustrations convey the heat, the tropical atmosphere, and the love and care of that sweet family perfectly.

This book is a beautiful expression of life. A girl and her family takes turns reciting experiences had with their recently deceased "Nana". The girl is nervous to speak in front of her family but is encouraged to and tells a beautiful tale of her last encounters with "Nana". This books is filled with cultural practices, food, and customs that are refreshing to read about. and the illustrations look awesome.

A young Jamaican girl attends her first sit-up, an event to honor her dead grandmother. Through listening to stories of her grandmother and telling her own, she finds joy in her sadness. Ages 5-9. Puyallup Public Library

Ida's father is traveling to New York from Jamaica. He can't find work in Jamaica and believes he will be able to do so in America in order to support his family. Ida is heartbroken and devastated. Papa gives Ida the task of taking care of the tangerine tree in their yard. I found this book to be a little on the long side for the age range it is intended for, but the the illustrations are beautiful and vivid, with colors of the islands.

Regina Hansen has written a story of new understandings set in Jamaica. A young girl is peer pressured into knocking a mango off of a tree in the yard of a mentally ill woman. When she sees the woman's face in the window she becomes frightened, based on the stories other children have told her. When she finally expresses her fears to her parents they explain the situation and tell her that people are scared of what they do not understand. This book teaches such a wonderful lesson about how tolerance, understanding and kindness can make the world a better place. Too long for a read aloud, but would be great for a middle elementary reader. The wording of some parts would be difficult for a new reader to comprehend.½

A child dealing with the death of her nana and her family's old traditions to honor her Nana.

3-5
Pierce College Library System

The Tangerine Tree is a story about a father who must immigrate to America so he can provide for his family. The family lives in Jamaica and they need money. The father must go to America to make money so he can give it to his family back home. The book shows how his daughter, Ida, handles her dad leaving. At first, she is extremely upset. She doesn't want him to go and can't find any good that can come out of her dad leaving. She goes to her hidden place in the tangerine tree to cry. There, her dad gives her a special book and tells her when she can read the whole book by herself, he will come back. At first, Ida thinks she'll never be able to read it, but changes her mind with encouragement from her dad. He also tells her to take care of the tangerine tree while he is gone. When it comes time for her dad to leave, Ida gives him a present and is determined to read the book plus all the books at her school. Then she will write to her father and tell him it's time to come home. We see Ida change from being sad about her dad leaving to accepting it. She even sets a goal for herself to as many books as she can before her dad comes home. She has a positive attitude about a sad situation.½

A sad story with a hopeful twist.

Sareen, a young girl in Jamaica, is attending her first “sit-up,” a wake for her beloved Nana who has died. In Jamaican tradition, a ghost, or “duppy” stays for nine nights after death. On the ninth night, friends and family hold a “sit-up” to entertain the ghost so it will leave and find peace. In the note at the end of this book, the author writes that while wake customs have changed over time, Jamaican children still love “duppy stories” – especially because they honor the person who has died and affirm their lives. Between stories the celebrants feast on traditional foods, like curried goat and boiled green bananas.

Sareen wants to tell stories about her nana, but she is afraid she will burst into tears. Or maybe worse, what if when she tries to speak, no sound comes out of her mouth?

In the end, Sareen finds the courage from her love, and manages to tell her story of trying to find the sweetest mango for her sick nana. Happy she could participate, she joins in the dance at sunrise to see her nana off to her rest.

Evaluation: This heartwarming story, illustrated with portrait-like pictures by the talented Eric Velasquez, is a good way to show children how to deal with death, while simultaneously teaching about the people and customs of Jamaica.½