Yatandou

Written by Gloria Whelan · Illustrated by Peter Sylvada

Part of the Tales of the World series

A young girl must sacrifice to help her village achieve a dream of freedom from labor.

3.9 Goodreads · 95 ratings

32 pages· 1,463 words· Est. 12 min read-aloud· AD600L

$17.95Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

In a Mali village, eight-year-old Yatandou dreams of playing with her goat, but instead, she joins the women in pounding millet for hours. They yearn for a machine to ease their burden, but it requires money they don't have. Yatandou faces a tough choice: part with something precious to help raise funds. Will her sacrifice lead to a brighter future for her community? This poignant tale of hope and determination unfolds through Yatandou's eyes, capturing the spirit of a village striving for change.

From the publisher

Yatandou lives in a Mali village with her family and neighbors. And though she is only eight years old and would much rather play with her pet goat, she must sit with the women and pound millet kernels. To grind enough millet for one day’s food, the women must pound the kernels with their pounding sticks for three hours. It is hard work, especially when one is eight years old. But as they work, the women dream of a machine that can grind the millet and free them from their pounding sticks. But the machine will only come when the women have raised enough money to buy it. Yatandou must help raise the money, even if it means parting with something she holds dear. Through the eyes and voice of a young girl, award-winning author Gloria Whelan brings to life one village’s dream of a better future. Atmospheric paintings from artist Peter Sylvada capture the landscape and spirit of this inspiring story of sacrifice and hope.

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