My Day with the Panye

In this lyrical picture book, young Fallon, living in the hills above Port-au-Prince, dreams of carrying a panye (a woven basket) to the market, just like her mother. She soon realizes this graceful act is much harder than it looks, leading to humorous attempts and a deeper appreciation for her Manman's skill. The story beautifully weaves themes of family legacy, cultural tradition, and the joy of learning a new skill, all set against the vibrant backdrop of Haiti. An author's note provides further context on the global practice of carrying panye. It's perfect for sparking conversations about cultural heritage and the value of perseverance.

A young girl in Haiti is eager to learn how to carry a basket to market in an exuberant picture book with universal appeal. “To carry the panye, we move gracefully, even under the weight of the sun and the moon.” In the hills above Port-au-Prince, a young girl named Fallon wants more than anything to carry a large woven basket to the market, just like her Manman. As she watches her mother wrap her hair in a mouchwa, Fallon tries to twist her own braids into a scarf and balance the empty panye atop her head, but realizes it’s much harder than she thought. BOOM! Is she ready after all? Lyrical and inspiring, with vibrant illustrations highlighting the beauty of Haiti, My Day with the Panye is a story of family legacy, cultural tradition, and hope for the future. Readers who are curious about the art of carrying a panye will find more about this ancient and global practice in an author’s note at the end.