The World's Poorest President Speaks Out
The World's Poorest President Speaks Out
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Written by Yoshimi Kusaba
Illustrated by Gaku Nakagawa
Translated from Japanese by Andrew Wong
In 2012, leaders from around the globe gathered in Brazil to discuss the world's future in the face of the worsening environmental crisis. Most of the speeches weren't memorable, until José Mujica, Uruguay's 40th president, rose to speak. "A poor person is not someone who has little, but one who needs infinitely more, and more, and more." Paraphrasing the wisdom of the great thinker Seneca, he asked the world to question the dogma of consumption that has driven us into environmental and economic crisis. Mujica was often referred to as “The world’s poorest president” during his tenure in office, due to his practice of donating 90% of his salary to charity and his decision to live on a small farm instead of in the presidential palace.
In The World’s Poorest President Speaks Out, José Mujica’s famous speech comes to life as he asks us to reflect on why we are here, and underlines the importance of finding forms of happiness that are not dependent on consumption and the endless exploitation of workers and the natural world.
ISBN: 978-1-59270-289-3
8” (W) x 10” (H) • 40 pages • HC • Ages 4-8
One of 100 Scope Notes's Most Astonishingly Unconventional Children's Books of 2020!
★ "Mujica posited that the real problem is not climate change but 'how we have come to live our lives' ... He challenged listeners to consider whether 'we were born ... to pursue economic growth and progress [or rather] to live in such a way as to find happiness on this planet.' Mujica's thought-provoking argument is just as valid today. The illustrations accompanying the text play with design and perspective, capturing Mujica's words in ways that give them great immediacy and vividness... An ideal vehicle to engage children in a discussion on the meanings of poverty, having enough, and social justice." —Kirkus, STARRED REVIEW!
"Nakagawa’s blocky digital illustrations adroitly illustrate the talk’s themes—in one, a careworn man struggles to haul an outsize pile of possessions, including a house and car. The message—that 'progress must add to human happiness, not take away from it'—is as timely as ever." —Publishers Weekly
"Bold, graphic illustrations complement the text from the onset of the speech, where the audience appears bored, to the standing ovation at the end... A thought-provoking, important message for these trying times." —School Library Journal
“The word 'poor' appears in the title of exactly ONE children's book this year, and here it is. But [this book] is not unconventional for that reason alone. The text of this book is based on an actual speech delivered in 2012 by Uruguay President José Mujica (called the 'poorest' president because he donates 90% of his annual salary) to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. His heartfelt plea? 'Economic growth and progress must add to human happiness, not take away from it.” —Travis Jonker, 100 Scope Notes
"‘A poor person is not someone who has little, but one who needs infinitely more, and more, and more.’ Thus spoke Jose Mujica, then the President of Uruguay, before the United Nations in 2012. Paraphrasing the wisdom of the great thinker Seneca, he asked the world to question the dogma of consumption that has driven us into environmental and economic crisis… Ably translated into English by Andrew Wong, The World's Poorest President Speaks Out is an entertaining, inspiring, and unique picture book for children ages 4-8 by the team of author Gaku Nakagawa and illustrator Yoshimi Kusaba and especially recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library collections.” —James A. Cox, Midwest Book Review