Man-Man and the Tree of Memories

(Paperback)

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SHORTLISTED FOR THE WEEK JUNIOR'S BEST OLDER FICTION AWARD 2024
SHORTLISTED FOR THE LITTLE REBELS CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD 2024
NOMINATED FOR THE YOTO CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR WRITING 2025

Illustrated in vibrant full-colour, a story of dance, celebration, carnival and slavery, about a family understanding their past to change the future.

Set in contemporary Notting Hill, Man-man and his friends are swept up in the exuberant preparations for carnival. But his mother is ill and even as he dances, he calls desperately to the Queen of Revels, as old as time to make her well again.

Swept away with his best friend Kareem and sharp-tongued sister Panama, to a place in between, the Queen of Revels plunges Man-man into Africa's past and reveals his family's heritage. As they gather around the sacred Tree of Memories, he witnesses many slaves, captives whose pain and anguish and longing is held by the tree. Man-man understands how this is draining his mother and how he must help her back to the freedom stolen from his ancestors

Reviews

A joyous affirmative book full of colour and the rhythm of the carnival. The exuberant and eyecatching illustrations add to the package magnificently. You cannot help but want to tap your toes too. This story would be an excellent addition to the school library * Books for Keeps *
Beautifully bright, dynamic illustrations promising the perfect feast of words and pictures... Man-man and the Tree of Memories is a bedazzlement of carnival magic, African-Caribbean culture and ancestral connections * LoveReading4Kids, Star Book *
Thrilling fantasy * The Week Junior *
An addictive read, acccessible with likeable characters... Above all, Man-man and the Tree of Memories is about justices, remembering the pain of slavery but also celebrating the joy of freedom * Armadillo Magazine *
Explores challenging themes in ways appropriate for UKS2. Full-colour illustrations draw on the storys energy and dance with it throughout * Teach Primary *

Author Bio

Yaba Badoe is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and writer. Yaba was born in Ghana but now lives in London with her husband. She has been nominated for the Distinguished Woman of African Cinema award. Her children's novel, Branford Boase shortlisted A Jigsaw of Fire and Stars, Wolf Light and Jhalak Prize longlisted and Edward Stanford Children's Travel Book of the Year shortlisted Lionheart Girl are published by Zephyr. Yaba is a judge for the Jhalak Prize 2023. @yaba_badoe


Joelle Avelino is a Congolese and Angolan illustrator who grew up in the UK. She has a BA (Hons) in Illustration with Marketing from the University of Hertfordshire. Her work is inspired by her belief that people from all races and backgrounds should see themselves in the world around them.