The Mango Tree / La Mata de Mango
Edel Rodriguez, a Cuban American artist, invites the reader to join the shared backyard of two friends, who play each day in a mango tree. Colorful illustrations within this wordless book provides an opportunity for readers to absorb the details on each page and follow their heart when describing what they see. When a storm sweeps away the tree and separates the two friends, the warm glow of the mango tree is an anchor in the darkness. Readers are drawn in, and share in the emotional journey of friendship, change, and rebuilding.
Pennsylvania Center for the Book Awards
Book Activities & Discussion Ideas
The beauty of this story is that every reader can tell the tale in their own words. To demonstrate this concept in another way, provide the same picture or illustration to children and ask each of them to provide their own narration about what is happening in the picture. Sharing their ideas with each other highlights how everyone’s perspective is unique. After reading The Mango Tree, children might also enjoy tasting a mango. Practice mindful eating by taking time to look at, touch, smell, listen to, and finally taste the mango. What words would they use to describe each aspect of the mango, using their five senses?
Engage adults in a book walk prior to reading, so that they can see that this book is wordless, presenting an opportunity for the illustrations and interpretation of the reader to tell the story. An author’s note, provided in both English and Spanish, reflects on the heartfelt inspiration for the story. Having this insight from the author guides the reader as they journey through the storm with the mango tree. Just as adults use context clues and prediction to tell the story, children will as well. Adults can support this by allowing time for children to preview the story and predict what will happen from their perspective.