One Boy's Choice: A Tale of the Amazon

Lush paintings by German illustrator Siems bring the Amazon up close in this tale by Brazilian-born Menezes (Nino's Magical Night). Headed for a fishing trip with his grandfather, a brown-skinned boy in a pair of shorts wants desperately to catch a big fish and impress his disdainful peers: "I'll show you," he tells them. Siems views the pair's departure from above, including two sleepy parrots in sharp focus. Waiting to catch something takes hours, during which the grandfather offers tales of fish living beneath water lilies, underscoring his familiarity with the river's wildlife ("Perhaps they're trying to tell us something important," he says when fish jump out of the water). A huge specimen appears at last, but it's an arowana, a species they can't take: "You see the little fish in his mouth?" the grandfather explains, "They are his children." If the two keep the fish, the babies will die, too. The boy is quick to see that saving the fish is more important than burnishing his reputation. Menezes's words and Siems's portraits of the Amazon's miraculous profusion of life (at one point, without remark, grandfather and grandchild are surrounded by yellow butterflies) make readers long to know more. Ages 3-7. (Sept.)

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

The understated story allows readers to see a community living close to the natural world and they will appreciate a tale in which a young person has an important decision to make.

A thoughtful contemplation on how our actions affect life on our planet.

★★★★★"Simple yet nuanced.... The story is all the more thought-provoking because of the detailed earth-toned watercolor illustrations that depict the beauty of the Amazon and the wild and plant life that call it home....Young readers who enjoy eco-fiction will find this to be an enjoyable read. Those wishing to introduce youngsters to more diverse selections will appreciate the indigenous characters and the Amazon backdrop." — Youth Services Review

"Lovely illustrations provide the perfect backdrop for this tender story of environmental awareness and the choices we make." — Kendal Rautzhan, Books to Borrow, Books to Buy, syndicated column

"We read dozens and dozens of books and I love it when I see one make a particular impact on my children....My kiddo was riveted to the story and they were so sweetly impressed with the young boy's choice of selflessness and sacrifice in the story....rewarding and powerful." — Booknerd Mommy

"A beautiful book....highly recommend[ed]. Read it to children, grandchildren and students." — Kiss the Book Jr. blog