Mari and the Great Market Swap came up on my online reader site. It had a nice cover. It was bright, interesting, but was not saying READ ME NOW. I thought about it. I went to do other things. I read other things. The next day I said, “Well, it’s still there. Might as well give Janelle Springer-Willms’s book a go.” And I did.
Now, while it might not be a WOW read, it is a strong cozy read. It did not shock or blow me away, but I felt I knew the story, the people and was picking up what they were putting down. Now, we may not have experienced something like what the narrator does personally, it has a familiar feeling of community, family and ingenuity.
Juliana Eigner created some fun and slightly funky illustrations that wrap things up neatly and keep things humming along. The story is set in a small village where the grandmother and grandchild are heading to the market to not only see old friends, but to sell wares. We learn about the different people and how the market is important. Such as if they don’t sell their goods, one family will not be able to purchase other foods, or clothing. Another would have to eat the vegetables they are selling for all meals for a long time to come. But that’s usually not an issue until the day there is an accident that blocks buyers from coming to the market. And of course, our narrator figures out the best solution.
This looks into another culture, but by using something we’re familiar with (shopping, food, need to make life better), makes it worth the time, and the wait for it to arrive on the market shelves, which is later in March 2026. Includes several fun extras to round things out.