
Reach for this book when your child starts noticing the world's inequalities or asks why some people work so hard for so little. It is an essential guide for parents looking to nurture a sense of global citizenship and ethical responsibility in their children. By explaining the journey of everyday items like chocolate and bananas, the book transforms a simple trip to the grocery store into a lesson on justice and empathy. Jilly Hunt breaks down complex economic concepts into digestible chapters that focus on the human faces behind the products we consume. It is perfectly calibrated for the 8 to 12 age range, offering a realistic yet hopeful look at how individual choices can create positive change for families halfway across the globe. You might choose this book to help your child move from passive consumption to active, thoughtful participation in their community.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewThe book addresses poverty, child labor, and unfair working conditions directly but in a secular, age-appropriate manner. The resolution is hopeful, focusing on the agency of the consumer and the success of Fair Trade cooperatives rather than dwelling solely on the hardship.
An elementary or middle school student who is naturally inquisitive about how things are made or a child who has expressed a strong sense of 'fairness' and wants to know how to help others.
Parents should be prepared to discuss the reality of child labor mentioned in the book. It can be read cold, but a post-reading trip to the store to look for the Fair Trade logo is recommended. A parent might hear their child ask, 'Why does that person look so tired?' while looking at an image of a laborer, or 'Why is this banana cheaper than that one?'
Younger readers (age 8) will focus on the 'helpers' and the concept of sharing fairly. Older readers (age 11-12) will better grasp the economic structures and the importance of global cooperatives.
Unlike many books on economics for kids, this one puts a human face on the data, using clear photography and relatable examples like sports balls and candy to make global trade feel personal.
This nonfiction chapter book provides an overview of the Fair Trade movement. It explains the supply chain of common goods like cocoa, cotton, and coffee, highlighting the disparity between what consumers pay and what farmers earn. It introduces the standards of Fair Trade, such as fair wages, safe working conditions, and environmental sustainability.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.