Booklists - Cooperative Children's Book Center

To print a CCBC booklist, click on a list below and then use your browser’s “Print” command. You can also select books from one or more booklists to create a custom list, which can also include books from the CCBC-Recommended Book Search.

< Back to booklist

My Day with the Panye

by Tami Charles

CCBC Review:

It’s Fallon’s turn to accompany Manman to the market in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and she’s eager to carry the panye on her head. “Slowly,” Manman says, placing the big basket on top of Fallon’s mouchwa. “‘Boom!’ The panye falls and crashes to the floor.” Fallon asks to try again, but Manman preaches patience on the walk to the market. “Pitit, pitit, not just yet. Pitit, pitit, build your nest.” Manman encourages Fallon to look around and learn from the other women and girls carrying their panyes. Manman also tells her that carrying the panye means being strong, like Haiti after the earthquake. Carrying the panye means being graceful even when it’s a heavy load. And Fallon knows carrying the panye means caring for family. As the bustling market slows down at day’s end, Fallon tries one more time; the panye falls again. She’s ready to give up, but Manman knows she’s ready. “Pitit, pitit, buid your nest,” she says, placing the panye on Fallon’s head. “Not too fast, little by little … I walk like a queen. I walk like Manman … all the way home.” Lively language with judicious use of repetition distinguishes this warm, vibrant story of patience and encouragement, strength and resilience, accompanied by pleasing gouache and digital illustrations. Highly Commended, 2021-2022 Charlotte Zolotow Award ©2022 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

Illustrated by Sara Palacios

CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 3-7
Age Range: Babies/Toddlers (birth – 3) PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Format: Picture book
Subjects: Community Haitians and Haitian Americans Mothers Patience Patterned text/Repetition Perseverance
Diversity subjects: Black/African Latine

Publisher: Candlewick
Publish Year: 2021
Pages: 32
ISBN: 9780763697495
CCBC Location: Picture Book, Charles

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Our Recommended Book Search includes subject access to CCBC-recommended titles based on subject headings created by our staff.