Julie and the Mango Tree, Sadé Smith’s second picture book, tells the story of a young Jamaican girl who learns that her favourite treat is more enjoyable when shared.

As her Papa isn’t there to pick her a mango from the highest branch, Julie takes matters into her own hands. She first asks the tree to drop a mango, then attempts to climb it herself, and even tries to make a trade with the tree, offering June plums from her backyard. Julie tries singing to and hugging the tree, but to no avail. She finally decides to wait until the tree is ready.

The next morning, after a storm passes over the island, Julie is stunned to find mangoes all over the ground. While trying to figure out what to do with all the extra fruit, she remembers how sad she was the previous day, when she was unable to reach even one mango. With the help of her Papa, Julie shares the harvest with her community.

Illustration: Sayada Ramdial

Sayada Ramdial’s mouth-watering illustrations bring to life Julie’s relationship with her mango tree. A full-page illustration of Julie biting into a vibrant and juicy yellow mango captures the sweet satisfaction of enjoying the delicious fruit on a hot summer’s day. The inclusion of recipes for a mango smoothie, salad, and juice provide ideas on how to satisfy any cravings created by the story.

Julie and the Mango Tree communicates the value of sharing with others and caring for your community. Instead of saving all the extra mangoes for herself and risking them spoiling, Julie enthusiastically sets up a mango stand so others in her neighbourhood can help themselves. The story also portrays the value of patience, when Julie decides to wait until the tree is ready to drop her some fruit.

This is a charming book that is sure to leave both kids and parents craving a juicy mango treat, while emphasizing that sharing really is caring.