Mari and the Great Market Swap

JLG Gold Standard Selection

"A stunning book that will have young readers eager to try new foods from around the world" – Booklist

"A charming island tale with a message of community and connection" – Kirkus Reviews

When customers can’t reach the weekly market, Mari comes up with a creative solution to help her fellow vendors.

“I guess it’s cassava, cassava, cassava for me dis week,” said Wendy.

“Here, take some o’ my guava,” giggled Mari.

“Thanks. You want a cassava?” That gave Mari the brightest idea of all.

Mari loves to help Granny sell their ripe guavas at the weekly market. Every week, she hears the cheerful chorus of Miss Hyacinth singing “Come fa yuh mangoes, sweet and juicy,” Fitzroy shouting, “Fish, fish flying fish, one ah dollar,” and Mamee calling “Sugar cakes? Tamarind balls? Guava cheese?” On Saturdays, they are one big family.

But today, Mari’s friend brings news that a sugarcane truck toppled over on the main road, so customers can’t reach the market. Without customers, the vendors won’t make enough money to buy what they need for their families and businesses. But Mari is a problem solver, and she has an idea. What about… a great market swap!

Set in a market on the Caribbean island of Barbados.
Encourages problem solving and creative thinking.
Endnotes provide further learning on markets, the types of food in the book, and creole languages.

Janelle Springer-Willms was born and raised on the beautiful island of Barbados. Though she has lived in the USA, Germany and now Austria, she still calls Barbados home. She is a former Prosthetist-Orthotist who has seen the amazing things people can do when they put their minds to it. So she skis despite her fear of flying off the mountain, hikes despite her fear of heights, scuba dives despite her fear of big fish... and writes books about kids even though she is a child at heart. Janelle is the author of Sammy the Seasick Pirate.