Reviews: Ten Cents a Pound by Nhung N. Tran-Davies

Beautifully written and illustrated story of a mother and daughter in Southeast Asia. Daughter is worried about her mother who works so hard in the coffee plantation for just ten cents a pound. Mother’s hands, feet and back all show the strain of her struggle. Daughter wants to stay home and help but Mother says no. Daughter must go away to learn to read and write, something Mother herself cannot do. Finally she tells Daughter that all her hard work is to pay for the schooling and supplies for her daughter to have a better life. Daughter finally agrees.

Sensitive and tender moment that helps bring understanding about many regions of the world where there is no local school and the illiteracy rate is high. What can you buy here for just ten cents?

Book Cover for Ten Cents A Pound.
A woman with a basket on her back holds the hand of a young child. They look at each other. Behind them are farms terrraced into a hillside.