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Katie Smith Milway

One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference (CitizenKid) Hardcover – Picture Book, February 1, 2008

by Katie Smith Milway (Author), Eugenie Fernandes (Illustrator)

139 ratings

Part of: CitizenKid (21 Books)

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Inspired by true events, One Hen tells the story of Kojo, a boy from Ghana who turns a small loan into a thriving farm and a livelihood for many. After his father died, Kojo had to quit school to help his mother collect firewood to sell at the market. When his mother receives a loan from some village families, she gives a little money to her son. With this tiny loan, Kojo buys a hen. A year later, Kojo has built up a flock of 25 hens. With his earnings Kojo is able to return to school. Soon Kojo's farm grows to become the largest in the region. Kojo's story is inspired by the life of Kwabena Darko, who as a boy started a tiny poultry farm just like Kojo's, which later grew to be the largest in Ghana, and one of the largest in west Africa. Kwabena also started a trust that gives out small loans to people who cannot get a loan from a bank.One Hen shows what happens when a little help makes a big difference. The final pages of One Hen explain the microloan system and include a list of relevant organizations for children to explore. One Hen is part of CitizenKid: A collection of books that inform children about the world and inspire them to be better global citizens.

Reading age

8 - 12 years
Print length

32 pages
Language

English
Grade level

3 - 7
Lexile measure

650L
Dimensions

10.2 x 0.65 x 12.35 inches
Publisher

Kids Can Press
Publication date

February 1, 2008
ISBN-10

1554530288
ISBN-13

978-1554530281
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 2–5—After his father dies, Kojo quits school to help his mother collect firewood to sell, but there is little money or food. However, his small Ashanti village has elected to try microlending, a system where the village loans money to one family to buy something that will hopefully improve their lives; once it is paid back, another family borrows it, etc. When it is the boy's mother's turn, Kojo uses a few of the coins to buy a hen. The story then follows him as he grows and slowly but steadily builds the proceeds from that one hen into the largest poultry farm in West Africa. Throughout, the author shows how his success impacts the lives of everyone it touches, from the people whom Kojo is able to employ to the taxes he pays that will build roads and medical facilities. The story is based on the experiences of an actual Ashanti poultry farmer and could open diverse avenues of discussion, including how a community's mutual support and teamwork operate for the good of all. Fernandes's large acrylic paintings capture the warmth of the climate and include numerous details, such as splashes of kente cloth, that authenticate the setting. There are also many illustrations that spark the imagination, such as the one of a tree with Kojo's first hen at its roots, growing more hens as the tree grows, with eggs blossoming from the branches. This distinguished book will enhance many curriculum areas. Tololwa M. Mollel's My Rows and Piles of Coins (Clarion, 1999) is a good companion piece.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Families in a Ghanan village pool their small savings into a community bank that makes loans available to members. When Kojo’s mother borrows money, he asks her for a few coins to buy a hen. The hen produces eggs for the family as well as a few for him to sell at the market, and Kojo uses that money to grow his business into a thriving enterprise. As a successful adult entrepreneur, Kojo now loans money to other aspiring businesspeople. Kojo’s inspiring, upbeat microfinance story makes the economic concept easy to grasp and admire. Sunny acrylic illustrations incorporate African animals and scenery into impressionistic full-page art that reflects the optimistic tone of the story. Back matter includes a photograph and short biography of a “real Kojo,” information on microcredit organizations, and a glossary. Grades 2-5. --Linda Perkins

Review

An inviting text and bright acrylic artwork on oversize pages follow Kojo, a rural Ashanti boy, as he builds a poultry farm with a small loan.―School Library Journal, Starred Review

... Kojo's inspiring, upbeat microfinance story makes the economic concept easy to grasp and admire. Sunny acrylic illustrations [and]impressionistic full-page art ...―Booklist

Extremely appealing ... beautifully illustrated in acrylics by award-winning artist Eugenie Fernandes ... Highly recommended ...―Canadian Children's Book News

Fernandes's large acrylic paintings ... include numerous details ... [and] spark the imagination. This distinguished book will enhance many curriculum areas.―School Library Journal, Starred Review

... a powerful tale about the value of offering a hand up, instead of a hand out ...―Todays Parent

The text and visuals work individually and together to create a compelling story that is simple without being simplistic and that avoids patronizing attitudes ... the book accomplishes the rare feat of entertaining and educating ... likely to be a hit with both kids and teachers.―Quill & Quire, Starred Review

... Kojo's story, with its vibrant illustrations, will plant more than the germ of an idea in the minds of young readers.―Globe and Mail

One Hen is emotionally affecting, as well as informative ...―Vancouver Sun

The vibrant folkish art by Eugenie Fernandes bursts with color and texture and enhances this uplifting tale of the power of giving someone a chance.―Detroit Free Press

... the beneficial effects of small loans and small projects are thoughtfully and carefully explained in the extensive text ... Acrylic illustrations are vivid and lively ...―Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Bright acrylics fill this spirited picture book ... a pleasing ... purposeful tale about change and hope.―San Francisco Chronicle

... encourages children ages 7 and up to think about the power we each have to initiate positive changes in the world.―Breitbart

About the Author

Katie Smith Milway, a native of Vancouver, B.C., has coordinated community development programs in Africa and Latin America for Food for the Hungry; consulted on village banking in Senegal with World Vision and was a delegate to the 1992 Earth Summit. She has written books and articles on sustainable development and is currently a partner at nonprofit consultancy The Bridgespan Group, based in Boston, Massachusetts.

Eugenie Fernandes is an award-winning picture book author and illustrator. Her many works include the Little Mouse series, Earth Magic, One Hen and Kitten's Spring. She lives in southern Ontario.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kids Can Press (February 1, 2008)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1554530288
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1554530281
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12 years
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 650L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.2 x 0.65 x 12.35 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #111,466 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #46 in Children's Money
- #88 in Children's Money & Saving Reference (Books)
- #90 in Children's Homelessness & Poverty Books (Books)

Customer Reviews:
139 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		84%
4 star		12%
3 star		3%
2 star		1%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Christmas Chicks

Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2020

Verified Purchase

Every year we buy chicks for Christmas. We don't buy them for ourselves, but through an organization that supplies them to people in need around the world. (The organization is different than those listed in the back of the book), The results of these chicks we send out can be the same as what was listed in the book. Through raising chicks, families can grow into an egg and meat business... thus families are able to take care of themselves and others. Microloans combined with training are a HUGE way to impact people's lives around the world. I am so glad that a book done in beautiful artwork was created to show what can happen if we take care of each other.

Helpful

debhibb

Excellent story and lovely illustrations

Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2016

Verified Purchase

What a great story and such beautiful and entertaining illustrations. My son read this at school and "demanded" I order a copy for him. He's 10, reading well above grade level, but read this to me last night. I was mesmerized and so was my 14 yr old son who wandered in mid story (although he mostly got a kick out of the illustrations). I would suggest this book for pretty much any age. A parent to read to a younger child or as in my case, the other way around. :)

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

@AverageAdvocate

KIDS BOOKS THAT CHANGE THE WORLD: Increasing gratefulness, understanding of poverty & business/$ with my 6/8 year olds

Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2016

Verified Purchase

I review advocacy tools and resources @ [...] and wanted to try out some kids books to write a "books that lead kids to change the world" type of post. This book was EXCELLENT and spurred great discussion with my 8 & 6 year-old about finances AND poverty. I will definitely recommend this.

The images were beautiful too!

The only downside was that it was a little complicated reading-level-wise for my kids. I had to simplify some of the worlds and work a bit harder at making it exciting

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Deed

Such an awesome story

Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2020

Verified Purchase

Kids loved it. Not only is it really inspiring but it's also fun and a true story and an amazing story. The kids age 6 and 9 were totally enthralled.

Helpful

Katie

Loved!!

Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2019

Verified Purchase

In preparing our children for visiting their father's home country of Ghana, we purchased this book. The story was so lovely, and my husband was excited that much of it was even his own story growing up. He related to this book so much, and was able to tell his own stories alongside as I read. We loved this book, it was very encouraging and uplifting!

Helpful

JK99

Entertaining and thorough explanation of micro finance for children!

Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2019

Verified Purchase

This book is so helpful to break down micro finance on an elementary school level. My daughter is 7 and this book was able to hold her attention. I love how this book explains how a micro loan can even impact the economy at large and government. Highly recommend!!

Helpful

Jack S. Moorefield

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2016

Verified Purchase

Very good book. Nice pictures of true character at the end of the book. Shows entrepreneurship, loans, and determination.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Joanne P

Inspiring story with valuable lessons to be learnt and shared!

Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2011

Verified Purchase

Gorgeous and colourful illustration written in simple and easy to understand English.

This is an inspiring story based on a true character that if you start small and dream big, you never know where it can take it.

What I really liked about this story is how it teaches you to give back to the community and the principle of micro finance. The central character uses uses his wealth and knowledge to help other people in his community improve their lives and acquire their own wealth. It also teaches the value of paying it forward. Those who received help from him are made to promise that they will extend help to someone else. People are not greedy and selfish nor are they fearful that by sharing, they will have less for themselves.

I think it's a good reminder that we should not be afraid to share because instead of being shortchanged, we actually gain more in return.

This is a great book for both children and adults!

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Lovely book - highly recommended

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 20, 2021

Verified Purchase

A gorgeous book with a deep, thought provoking message. Beautiful illustrations; so colourful and detailed. The suite has take great care to put this together. A complex subject which has been very clearly written and visualised for children to understand. Love the additional information on the back. Really informative and poignant. Highly recommended.

Alice Atkinson

I liked this book because

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 18, 2014

Verified Purchase

Our P7 class read about the boy Kojo and his hens and how he changed his country, here is what we think.

Katie: I liked this book because, it was great learning about how the little boy called Kojo and how he raised money and changed his life. This book is good for any ages, it is a happy and heart worming book and great for a class book study and for a bed time story.

Chloe: I think that this book was lovely as you can learn about how people in different countries earn money. As I believe it is an amazing book hope u read it.

JAD

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 26, 2018

Verified Purchase

I used this for a PHSE lesson and it covered this bit about entrepreneurial skills in the syllabus.

Great story

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 31, 2012

Verified Purchase

Used this as an introduction to Fairtrade for my Y4 class and they really enjoyed it. Provided good motivation for them to research fairtrade as part of our study of Ghana. Arrived in perfect condition and earlier than promised, as is usually the case with Amazon.

The Green Camel

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 26, 2017

Verified Purchase

Importance of social responsibility and work ethics. An inspiring story

See all reviews

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