Synopsis
This is the story of a little rain, a blossoming mango and the power of a little boy's imagination. The story is told in words and richly-colored pastels that will take you to a small village in the African country of Chad. There you will feel the heat, taste the cool mango rain and meet a boy named Thomas.- ★★★☆☆
- ★★★☆☆
- ★★★★☆
- ★★★★☆
- Discuss this verse from the Quran in which Allah ﷻ tell us “O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may [get to] know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware.” (49:13). Did you learn about a different culture and country by reading this story? How is the boy’s life similar to yours? How is it different? Why do you think Allah ﷻ asks us to “know one another”?
- Find Chad on a map. Which continent is it in?
- Read the author’s notes at the end of the story.
- Learn more about the life cycle of a mango tree.
- Look around the house, do you have old toys that can be upcycled (turned into something new)? Are there items like packaging that can be repurposed instead of thrown away?
Mindful Muslim Review
“With a drop of rain, the mango tree blossoms. With one small idea, so does the mind.” In an age of instant gratification, it is refreshing to read a picture book highlighting the fruits of patience, ingenuity, and a simple childhood happiness, showing our children that they have more in common with each other than they think. Lavishly illustrated using rich tones matching those of a ripe mango, this simple story follows a young boy as he spends months patiently gathering material from everyday items to make a toy for himself. While watching the idea come to fruition, children learn they don’t need much to find contentment. At a deeper level, this story gives children a glimpse of the rhythms, culture, and values of another part of the world. The reader, transported to the country of Chad, shares the joy of the long awaited “mango rain”, the taste of a juicy ripe mango fresh off the tree and the beauty of a simple village life with children surrounded by their elders. For another richly illustrated, simple story by the same author, Mindful Muslim Reader recommends Rain School.
