One Hen and Then…The Story of a Small Loan

Based on the true story of Ghana’s “Poultry King” Dr. Kwabena Darko, One Hen and Then…The Story of a Small Loan by Katie Smith Milway with Mary Beth Leatherdale and Tequitia Andrews is the newest story in Kids Can Press’s Citizen Kid line of books.

Kojo received a small loan from his mother and bought a fluffy white hen. The hen lays eggs and Kojo takes them to the market to sell and in turn makes more money to purchase more hens. Kojo’s business is successful and with the success he can pay his school fees, purchase school supplies and new glasses. He studies hard and goes to college to lean about farming. When he wants to expand his poultry empire, he is faced with resistance from his local bank but with perseverance he is able to convince the city bank of what he is doing and he then can pay his loan forward.

One Hen and Then is a remarkable story that readers will love. There is something for the budding entrepreneurs, those who are interested in international relations and those who love math. Teachers will love this story! The financial literacy component is especially amazing, showing readers how to generate profit and how to manage dollars and cents. Throughout the story readers can learn about

I love how readers will gain an appreciation for a place that is different from where they live. Many readers of this story will live in North America so for the story to bring them to Ghana to see what life is like for people and how different their experience can be is a wonderful way to build compassion and empathy and give readers a real world view. To expand their understanding of the world in new ways.

The illustrations in the story by Tequitia Andrews are amazing. She transports readers to Ghana with inviting, colourful illustrations that highlight the joy of the people featured in the story.