Katrina: Through Mango’s Eyes

Sheila Pippin
American Literary Press (2007)
ISBN 9781561679560
Reviewed by Stephanie, J.T. (age 9), and Parish (age 3) Rollins for Reader Views (4/07)

“Katrina: Through Mango’s Eyes” is about a parrot, named Mango and a few of her furry friends.  The story is told through Mango.  He is explaining to his friends, other animals, about the horrible storm and its aftermath. 

During Katrina, Mango was left behind as the family stayed in a motel that did not allow pets.  An animal rescue team eventually took Mango to a shelter with other animals.  Mango’s owners found him after the storm. 

There are details in “Katrina: Through Mango’s Eyes” that Katrina victims can relate to.  Some of the houses are boarded up.  Windows are broken.  There is yellow caution tape around some houses.  Messages about the location of pets are left on garage doors. 

Fortunately, my family was not affected by Katrina except for the fact that my husband went to help out in the shelters.  Katrina is a bit abstract for Parish and J.T. 

Parish did like the pictures that are bright and simple.  They are drawn in a cartoonish way.  Both J.T. and Parish liked the story about Mango.  We never thought much of the plight of the pets during Katrina.  Both J.T. and Parish enjoyed the true story of “Katrina:  Through Mango’s Eyes.”  It is written in large font.  The words are simple; most 2nd and 3rd graders will have no problem reading this

We are donating our copy to charity.  Hopefully, a young Katrina victim will find “Katrina: Through Mango’s Eyes” comforting.  Pippin did a wonderful job of empathizing with and comforting those who are the most easily traumatized—the children.  What a great therapeutic tool.

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