Tree of Music: the Mpingo Pingo Tree

In the forests and grasslands of Tanzania, Mpingo feels like he is alone and has nothing to offer. Strange things begin to happen. One day he wakes up looking totally different. Gnarled and twisted, his dry leaves, barely visible, have fallen off one by one. After what he thinks is one night of rest, he awakens, and has sprouted beautiful, small, white flowers. His journey through life begins to unfold. He survives a near tragedy, becomes a hero and learns about his proud history as the tree of music. Sometimes we find out why we are so unique in unexpected ways. Mpingo, teaches all of us, young or old, that it's not how you look but who you are inside, that measures the character of a person. A great read-aloud, the book includes a section for parents, teachers and children for discussion groups, a glossary and information about the real mpingo tree.