Neema’s Reason to Smile
by Patricia Newman
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Pub Date May 01 2018 | Archive Date May 03 2018
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Description
Every day, Neema balances a heavy basket of fruit on her head and traces the dusty path to town that unwinds like a cheetah’s tail. She wants to go to school, but Mama cannot afford the uniform and supplies. Neema saves her money and dreams big dreams, until one day hope skips down the street wearing a red skirt and white shirt.
A Note From the Publisher
Author is available for interviews, blog tours, autographed tours, autographed book giveaways, contests, and book club discussions.
Advance Praise
“Lyrical and lovely, Neema’s Reason to Smile reminds us that education is the greatest gift we can give a child, and that with enough love and determination, dreams sometimes do come true. Moving, important, and inspiring.” —Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal Winning Children’s Author
“With vivid, flowing prose and wonderfully vibrant characters, Neema’s Reason to Smile takes on a complicated topic—girls overcoming global obstacles to education—yet delivers a poignant example of how dreams can be realized through community. Although this tale is set in Kenya, it represents stories that unfold in real life in more than 50 countries around the world where school is not free.” —Tanya Lee Stone, author of Girl Rising: Changing the World One Girl at a Time, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work—Youth / Teens; Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction
“You will never know the potential of any child, youth, and adult until that person is given an opportunity to acquire education. When you don’t educate the people, you’re crippling them; you are not giving them ways to fend for themselves. Neema’s Reason to Smile reinforces how education creates conscious awakening for peace to happen in ourselves and around us.” —Emmanuel Jal, Peace activist, musician, former child soldier, actor, and entrepreneur
“A wonderful story that captures the dreams and hopes of a young Kenyan girl wanting to be more!” –Eric Walters, author and founder of Creation of Hope, an orphanage in the Mbooni region in Kenya
Marketing Plan
About the Author:
Patricia Newman’s award-winning books show kids how their actions can ripple around the world. With titles such as Neema’s Reason to Smile; Zoo Scientists to the Rescue; Sea Otter Heroes; and Plastic, Ahoy!, she hopes to empower kids to think about the adults they’d like to become.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781682655849 |
| PRICE | $17.99 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
Ali F, Reviewer
I love this book because: pictures are beautiful and it represents worldly perspectives in an age appropriate way. Neema is a character you won't forget anytime soon!
Mpur C, Book Trade Professional
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!
Debbie T, Librarian
This lovely little energetic picture book is about a girl named Neema who wants to go to school but her mother doesn't have enough money for the supplies. This would be a terrific book to use to talk to kids about some of the privileges we have in America that we might take for granted.
Krystal Kavita J, Media/Journalist
This children's book tugged at the reader's heart strings as it illustrated some struggles to pursue education!
Amber W, Educator
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.
Moriah C, Reviewer
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.
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