Katie Smith Milway, illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes
One Hen
Kids Can Press, 2008

Gr. 1-12
Rating: E*

One Hen tells the story of a boy from Ghana, West Africa, and how he transformed a modest loan, which helped him buy a chicken, into the largest poultry farm in West Africa. Kojo lives in a small town in Ghana with his mother. They survive by selling firewood. Kojo’s mother is chosen to be the recipient of a micro-financing programme that will allow her to buy a cart so she can carry more firewood to market; with the few coins that are left over, Kojo buys a hen. A small business is born; Kojo sells the eggs and uses his profits to buy more chickens. With his earnings, Kojo is able to attend school for the first time. In time, he earns a scholarship to an agricultural college, where his dreams of a farm of his own begin to take shape. We follow Kojo as his business becomes a success, and he becomes an integral part of the community. He, too, begins to dispense small loans that make a difference to the people that live in his community, and the circle of giving continues. The book is based on the life story of a man called Kwabena Darko, who started The Sinapi Aba Trust, which has, to date, provided small business loans to more than 50,000 Ghanaians, more than 90% of whom are women.

The author and illustrator demonstrate traditional values; the importance of family, community, and giving back to those who have helped you. The beautiful illustrations will entrance readers and the bright, rich colours will be enjoyed by all. Readers inspired by Kojo’s story will find a useful guide to further action at the back of the book, and there is a useful glossary of terms for words that may be unfamiliar to younger readers. The book encourages social responsibility in all who read it, even in the very young. It is inspirational to see the difference one person can make, even with limited resources.

One Hen is a picture book that can be used by all ages. Elementary students will enjoy the entrepreneurial story of Kojo, and the book can be used successfully as a discussion starter for units in high school subjects such as economics and world issues. This book is an essential purchase for school libraries and will be well-loved in schools where participation in the world and giving back to the community are important values.

Thematic Links: Microfinance; Global Citizenship; Ghana

Claire Hazzard
Vol. 13, number 5
June 2008

*Rating System:
E - Excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!
G - Good, even great at times, generally useful!
A - Average, all right, has its applications.
P - Problematic, puzzling, poorly presented.