In One Hen, Massachusetts writer Katie Smith Milway teams up with award-winning Canadian author and illustrator Eugenie Fernandes to tell a story of hope and persistence. Set in Ghana, the book chronicles how a young boy, Kojo, parlays a small loan from his mother into first one hen, and then, over time, a major farm that sustains a busy town and many employees. Along the way, he attains his dream of returning to school (he had to quit when his father died) and attends agricultural college. Through this tale, based on a true story, Milway makes the esoteric concept of micro-loans accessible to readers aged 7 and up; Kojo’s mother and many in her village benefit from this grassroots form of funding, and Kojo establishes a trust that dispenses such loans.

Fernandes brings her usual talent to the illustrations, with bright, lively drawings that will engage readers of all skill levels. Furthermore, her artwork sets up the book’s secondary narrative, which tells Kojo’s tale in the cumulative style of “The House That Jack Built,” introducing Kojo on one page, Kojo and his loan on the next, and “the hen that Kojo buys with the loan he got” on the subsequent page. The text and visuals work individually and together to create a compelling story that is simple without being simplistic and that avoids patronizing attitudes. Milway includes a short bio of the real Kojo – Kwabena Darko – a glossary, and an explanation of how individuals can help through various organizations such as World Vision and Habitat for Humanity. In short, the book accomplishes the rare feat of entertaining and educating, making One Hen likely to be a hit with both kids and teachers.