The Last Mapou By Edwidge Danticat

“I hear my grandmother’s soft chuckle. Then I hear a voice echo through the rustling leaves of the remaining trees, while telling the mapou’s story. This time though I am part of the mapou’s story because I am the one telling it. Danticat's second picture book, though lesser known than _Mama's Nightingale_ and My Mommy Medicine_, similarly emphasizes the bond between generations and celebrates Haitian heritage. It's less designed for young readers than her other books, but it tells a beautiful story about endurance, heritage, and one's connection to nature.
Edwidge Danticat We read this book as part of homeschool reading for Black History Month - a book about the traditional importance of the mapou tree in Haitian culture and mythology. The art is not very good, but the story about a little girl learning the lore of the mapou tree from her grandmother is quite good and touching. Edwidge Danticat

In Haiti, the mapou (silk cotton) tree is a very symbolic national tree. Award-winning author Edwidge Danticat and renowned painter Edouard Duval-Carrie team up for this rich and vivid tale about a young girl's relationship with her grandmother, and the history, beauty and circumstances of their family's mapou tree. This is Danticat's second children's book.

Grade Level: 3rd-5th grade The Last Mapou

Free read The Last Mapou