Neema's Reason to Smile

NEEMA'S REASON TO SMILE is a wonderfully written story about a young Kenyan girl dreaming of an education. With evocative phrases like, "...the dusty path unwinds like a cheetah's tail..." and "...her arms spread like egret wings..." the reader is drawn into the Kenyan countryside while hoping Neema finds a way to fill her dream basket with enough coins to pay for school. In addition, the ending gives that clever and satisfying twist you expect from a picture book. Educational, eye-opening, and well worth the read.

The story here focus more on poorness and poverty. My kids found it disturbing and exploits the people of Kenya and Africa in general. By the way Neema is not a Kenyan name but Tanzania mainland.

Love the dream basket and Neem’s inspiring ambition. Loved this book very much and kids will too!

Great book and wonderful story with beautiful illustrations

Neema and Mama work every day to save up for their dream--for Neema to be able to go to school. As hard as they work, though, they are only able to save money slowly. One day, though, Neema sees a girl who goes to a different school and wonders if there's a chance school can become a reality for her sooner than she thought.This book was an important message, showing the realities for many people in impoverished nations and how school isn't something we should take for granted. It also shows the impact that people can have when they decided to help. This would be a good discussion starter for sure.I enjoyed the message, but I have to say the pictures weren't my favorite. I loved the bright colors, but I found it strange that the animals looked realistic but the people looked more like caricatures.I read a copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Fabulous age appropriate story with wonderful lesson for children.

There is so much to love about this book that I truly don't know where to begin. The illustrations put the reader right there on the dusty path that leads to the brightly colored town where Neema sells her fruit so she can save enough money to go to school. The beautifully written text takes us along on Neema's journey to become something more. When her mother mentions she might become a nurse...Neema suggests she might become a scientist.But it isn't only Neema who takes the journey to fulfill her dreams...her mother also has dreams and they are revealedtowards the end of the story. This is a totally uplififting and empowering book, not just for kids, but for adults also. And the back matter invites young people, not only to dream, but to take action steps to make those dreams come true.This is a must-read for all elementary classes...and every library needs to have a copy!

This is a charming book that will explain to children how lucky they are to get a free education and be able to attend school and learn. The young girl in the story really wants to make something or herself and that is lovely to see - I really enjoyed seeing her aspirations and her interaction with her mother and the people she meets on her daily routine delivering fruit. This was a book I read last night that stayed with me and had me thinking about it this morning and for that reason I have increased my initial review rating to 4.5 stars from me rounded up to 5 stars for Goodreads and Amazon!