Mari and The Great Market Swap

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Author(s)

Janelle Springer-Willms

Co-Authors / Illustrators

Juliana Eigner

Publisher Name

Barefoot Books

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

March 24, 2026

ISBN13

979-8888599020

ISBN10 or ASIN

When customers can’t reach the weekly market, Mari comes up with a creative solution to help her fellow vendors.

“I guess it’s cassava, cassava, cassava for me dis week,” said Wendy.

“Here, take some o’ my guava,” giggled Mari.

“Thanks. You want a cassava?” That gave Mari the brightest idea of all.

Mari loves to help Granny sell their ripe guavas at the weekly market. Every week, she hears the cheerful chorus of Miss Hyacinth singing “Come fa yuh mangoes, sweet and juicy,” Fitzroy shouting, “Fish, fish flying fish, one ah dollar,” and Mamee calling “Sugar cakes? Tamarind balls? Guava cheese?” On Saturdays, they are one big family.

But today, Mari’s friend brings news that a sugarcane truck toppled over on the main road, so customers can’t reach the market. Without customers, the vendors won’t make enough money to buy what they need for their families and businesses. But Mari is a problem solver, and she has an idea. What about… a great market swap!

Set in a market on the Caribbean island of Barbados.
Encourages problem solving and creative thinking.
Endnotes provide further learning on markets, the types of food in the book, and creole languages.

Editor review

1 review

Innovative and Creative Trading

June 23, 2026 (Updated: July 14, 2026)

Overall rating

4.0

Plot

4.0

Characters

3.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

Mari goes with her granny to see guavas each week at the market. While she’s there, she hears everyone shouting about the various things they are selling. On this day, Mari’s friend shared that a sugarcane truck is on the main road, blocking the way to the market. The vendors won’t make enough money to buy the things that they need without any customers, and this is when Mari comes up with a fantastic solution: what about a market swap?

What I Liked: This book introduces us to Mari and her granny by showing us the guavas that they are going to sell. The book uses a variety of descriptive words to highlight all of the fruits, vegetables, and foods that are sold in the market.

The illustrations highlight various details both in the town and the market that Mari goes to. The images are vibrant and do a great job of showcasing the various people who visit the market and how they come together.

The ending of the book contains more information about markets, the foods that are introduced in the book, and Creole languages. It was fascinating to learn more about things that are introduced throughout the book and also to understand the language that is used throughout the book. The way the people in the book speak is different, so it was good to understand that it was a mix of different English dialects.

Final Verdict: Mari and the Great Market Swap is a book full of innovative and creative ideas that introduces children to trading. Children ages 6 and up will enjoy learning about the solution that Mari comes up with and how she is able to encourage the others to trade with her.