Man-Man and the Tree of Memories
Published on 22. May 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
192 pages
978-1-0359-1260-5 (ISBN)
Description
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
A beautifully illustrated 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.
SHORTLISTED FOR THE LITTLE REBELS CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD 2024
NOMINATED FOR THE YOTO CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR WRITING 2025
A beautifully illustrated 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 / Votes
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 story's energy and dance with it throughout * Teach Primary *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 8 years
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 124 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
164 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-0359-1260-5 (9781035912605)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Yaba Badoe
Man-Man and the Tree of Memories
E-Book
10/2023
1st Edition
Head of Zeus
€7.49
Available for download
Person
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.
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.