We adopted Neema's Reason to Smile by Patricia Newman into several elementary classrooms. Students appreciated having the window into Neema's life and seeing her desire to do what it takes to get to school. The discussions that the students had after reading this book about appreciated their education and privileges was humbling to hear.

This is a great book. My class loved it and really understood its message. We used it as an introduction when discussing the international declaration of children's rights and in particular the right to an education. Neema wants to go to school. She and her mother dream big but life is expensive, wages are low and they can't afford it. They save all the can until one day she does finally make it. With children here moaning about school, mitching from school and making up excuses to get out of it, it's important that they learn also of the struggles that some children endure as they try to gain an education for themselves again all obstacles. This is a very worthwhile read. I liked it a lot.

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!

Neema is a little girl living in Kenya, dreaming of only one thing: to go to school. But Neema and her mother can't afford to pay for the supplies and uniform she will need. Neema continues to dream, until one day hope arrives in the form of another little girl wearing a new school uniform. Could there be another way for Neema to go to school?

The beautiful and colorful illustrations give us a glimpse in to Neema's world, taking us on the journey with her and her mother as she dreams of an education. The book is simple enough for young readers to appreciate, even though it tackles a serious topic. Parents of readers who are a little older can use the book as an opportunity to teach children, as well. (P.S. For older readers, The Red Pencil would be a fabulous companion read, as it tackles a similar subject).

I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley.

This book raises a unique and mostly ignored issue. We have read books that explain the importance of education, illiteracy and how children should be educated (rich or poor) to get better citizens. In many countries the education is free. So is where Neema lives but the books, uniform and stationary isn't free.
Neema dreams about going to the school but the savings aren't enough, despite her selling fruits and helping her mom to raise money.
Many like Neema, in different countries in the world, must be going through the same problem.
The book has the solution which would definitely help solve the issue to some extent. But everyone needs to support the idea.
It inspires children to dream big.
A very good read. Though it is not mentioned in the book, I encourage children/parents to help the poor and needy kids by donating old books, uniforms, etc.
That would be a good thing.

I really liked Neema’s Reason to Smile. It tells an uplifting tale of a girl whose dreams come true in the most amazing way. Her dream is a simple one, but appears far away from her. Yet one day that all changes. The illustrations bring this story to colorful life and Neema is a very likable character. The ending was touching, and made perfect sense.

'Neema's Reason to Smile' is a book that illustrates a struggle for many children like Neema; children who dream of going to school, and have limited resources to make it a reality. The book touched on issues and delivered them in flowing prose — from the challenge of having free schools, yet funds are required to purchase materials and uniforms, to childhood employment to help the family out. It's a book that can spur discussions that will expand children's hearts and minds.

There is so much to love about this beautiful story! Little Neema dreams of going to school and growing up to be a nurse, a scientist, a teacher, and so much more. Neema dreams as she works during the day selling fruit to make money for her and her mother, who also works hard during the day sewing. At the end of the day, Neema and her mother climb the hill to count the money they have earned that day. They set aside the money they need for food and supplies and then put the remaining money in Neema's Dream Basket, where they save the money they need for Neema to attend the government school. Neema keeps working hard and although she gets discouraged at times, she keeps dreaming of school.
This wonderful story tells the tale of a determined little girl that works hard to achieve her dream of attending school. Neema dreams and she dreams big. This story will teach children that with hard work and dedication to your dreams, it is possible to achieve anything! The illustrations in this book are a wonderful asset to an already beautiful story! This book would make a wonderful addition to any home or school library as it is an absolutely wonderful book!
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this amazing story!

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.

I loved reading about Neema and her desire to attend school! Such a heartfelt story! A story that reminds us of the importance and value of an education, and that yet education is still not so easily accessible to all children throughout the world! Neema shows the strength and determination of a young girl who knows what she wants, goes after it and makes it happen!

Neema and her Mama, who live in Kenya, work very hard every single day just to survive. Each morning her Mama balances a huge basket of fruit on Neema's head and off she goes treading mile after mile to sell oranges, mangoes and bananas to anyone she can. Her kind, generous heart always responds to a poor toothless old beggar who daily sits on the side of road homeless and hungry. Out of her dire poverty she offers him sustenance, a single orange from her basket, that he is so grateful for.

He calls after her:

"The heart of a lion beats inside you, Neema."


Neema dreams of going to school and becoming a scientist, an inventor or a perhaps a doctor so she can escape her impoverished life. Her Mama's dream is to buy a sewing machine so her intense needle work by day and by the light of fire at night will be much less burdensome. She and her mother weave a dream basket where they deposit any meagre extra coins they gather from their hard day's labour. These few coins fuel their dreams and fuel their hopes that perhaps their dreams can come true.

The government school is free but Neema needs money to purchase a blue and white school uniform, paper and pencils to attend. She can afford none of those. But still her longing to go continues.

One day as she is doing her daily tasks a little girl about her age whisks by her wearing a red and white uniform. Neema has never seen that uniform before and she wonders if there could be another school that she doesn't know about in the area?

Neema spots the happy little girl once again days later and this time she follows after her as the girl weaves through the noisy street and then dances through an open red door and into a .... SCHOOL!!!!

Neema is overjoyed at her find. Will Neema's dream become a reality? Will she be able to finally go to school and be given the skills to have her dream fulfilled?

This book is encouraging and truly inspirational. Neema is a wonderful role-model showing the reader that hard work and perseverance pay off. The book has a glossary and information about the school it is modelled after and even instructions for kids to make their own dream baskets. The illustrations are detailed, vibrantly coloured and I love all the patterns and textures that are portrayed giving you a wonderful feeling for the culture in which Neema lives. I highly recommend this book.

This may look like a picture book, but it is not for young children. I can see this book being used as an introduction to social justice and worldwide children's rights. Neema is a young girl in Kenya who has a dream. Her dream is to go to school, but in impoverished countries where money is barely enough to survive, school is not possible. Neema must sell fruit to help her family survive. She and her mother have a dream basket where they put extra money with the hope that someday she can go to school and get a good job. This is far different than any of our children would be aware of- what with free schools, and so many other opportunities. This is a work of fiction but one based on the very real dreams of kids in Kenya and other countries around the world. The writing is full of heart and love and hope. The illustrations are full of color and come alive. To see what our children take for granted being a privilege for so many others is an important lesson. A discussion of what to do next and how to help could follow this reading. There are also questions and activities at the back of the book that could be used to further get involved with the story.

This book is such a great story of dreaming and working hard even when it doesn't seem like life will get better. Neema and her mom save their hard earned money hoping that Neema will one day go to school.
Will their work pay off?

The back of the book also has helpful discussion questions and activities!

Thanks, Netgalley, for the early read.

This was a teaching book perfect for young children about a little African girl named Neema who is determined to raise money for school. This story highlights the privilege we have of attending school that is often taken for granted. Though children that age don't have full comprehension of it this story is a good way to ease them into these concepts and open up a discussion.

Neema lives with her mother in Kenya. Every day, Neema leaves home to see the fruit in her basket – what she and her mother don’t need for essentials goes into Neema’s Dream Basket – a collection of coins they are saving so that Neema can go to school.

At the heart of this story is the importance of education and the opportunities it gives to children. Neema’s mother and herself aren’t saving for a private school education – each coin they put aside is so she can go to a Government funded school where pencils, uniforms etc. still need to be paid for. In this story she ends up following another girl to a school funded in part by what parents can pay and the other through donations. An important aspect to highlight with this book in the classroom would be the fact that despite Neema’s family having very little – and being asked to pay what they can towards the education – they give all their coins – not some, all. Having worked in education now for around 20 years I have seen just how children in this time have come to take having an education for granted here in Australia. There are many who truly don’t appreciate how fortunate they are to have access to the technology and resources we have. In fact, many don’t want to be at school at all – the fact we have an enforced attendance rate (which I don’t personally agree with anyway) shows the difference in culture and priorities.

Another note about this book is the fact that despite it showing that Neema had very little it didn’t stop her from being generous to those less fortunate than herself – such as when she gives the beggar the orange. It also builds upon the opportunity that an education will provide for Neema by showing how her mother could also benefit by them being able to buy a sewing machine – thus being able to do more work and earn more money.

Overall, this book would be a great companion to Ten Cents a Pound as they feature similar themes of the importance of education.

As far as I am concerned, May 3rd cannot come soon enough! Neema's Reason to Smile is an amazing book that has a place in all classrooms, libraries and homes. Seeing school from a different perspective, for children, can be incredibly profound. Newman does a beautiful job winding a tale of family, needs, desires and culture into the story of Neema's desire to attend school. My family has read this book on repeat and had wonderful discussions about how grateful we are to freely attend school with no worries. I cannot wait to have my own copy of this book to share far and wide.

This was an interesting and informative approach to teach children about schools in other countries, particularly those impoverished countries where children can only dream of attending school. Neema wants to attend school and her mother would like to send her, but money is in very short supply and Neema must help earn money for her family. Far different culture than any of our children would be aware of- what with free schools, and so many other opportunities.

This wonderful story would be an awesome classroom lesson. In the US we take schooling for granted. We complain about our education system, but this book reminds me that things could be worse. For Neema, all she wants is to attend school. But her family does not have the money. School is free, but you still needs supplies. They slowly save coins in the dream basket until the dream of school is achieved. This book reminds us to take nothing for granted.

I really love this book! It's about the awareness of education. It's so heartwarming. And on the back of the book, there's students from Jambo Jipya who share their dreams. They have dream, just like Neema, the main character. This book teach us that we not only need to have dreams but also reach for it. We were born to build!