BOOKS | REVIEWS The Mango Tree (La Mata de Mango)' By Edel Rodriguez. (Abrams, $18.99) In a lush jungle, two boys find everything they need in the branches of a mango tree — fruit to eat, a vantage point from which to fly kites, sanctuary from the wild dogs and gators on the ground.
And then a great storm blows up and sends the boys, tree and all, out to sea. Cuban-American artist Rodriguez gives us a fantastic, fabulous world in explosive, vivid illustrations. This wordless story lets children's imaginations run free so they can tell the tale any way they want, and an author's note (in English and Spanish) gives the story behind the story.
'Bros' By Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Reggie Brown. (Candlewick Press, $17.99) There are few words in this book, but it doesn't need many — the illustrations shine with friendship, energy and joy.
Five young Black friends go through their day laughing, playing and having one another's backs. "We smile. We style," reads the rhyming text, just two words per page.
"Bros dare. We care." There's plenty of room for a young reader's imagination to fill out the story of these buddies.
It's a wonderful book of pride, happiness and unabashed male friendship. 'Fresh Juice' By Robert LiuTrujillo. (Lee & Low, $19.
95) Art and his dad head to the farmers market to buy ingredients for a super juice that will knock out Dad's cold. Art particularly wants fresh ginger: "My teacher says the stuff in it kills germs." Every booth at the market.
