My Rows and Piles of Coins – Hardcover Book

Ages 4+ / Grades PreK+

This story is drawn from the author’s own Tanzanian childhood. A boy, Saruni, who works hard, saves all his coins for months and months, and dreams of buying a bicycle, only to discover he does not have nearly enough money. Many children will relate to what it’s like to save, plan, and count towards a dream. Determination and generosity are at the heart of this satisfying tale, set in Tanzania and illustrated with glowing watercolors that capture the warmth of Saruni’s family and the excitement of market day.

E.B. Lewis’s watercolor paintings appear in over seventy books for children. He has received numerous awards, including the Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration, four Coretta Scott King Honors, and a Caldecott Honor.

Tololwa M. Mollel, an Arusha Maasai from Tanzania, grew up on his grandfather’s coffee farm. He has a B.A. from the University of Dar es Salaam and a M.A. from the University of Alberta, Canada. The author of many picture books, he has published ten with Clarion. He lives in Edmonton, Canada.