Planting the Trees of Kenya

Description

Wangari Maathai, winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize and founder of the Green Belt Movement, grew up in the highlands of Kenya, where fig trees cloaked the hills, fish filled the streams, and the people tended their bountiful gardens. But over many years, as more and more land was cleared, Kenya was transformed. When Wangari returned home from college in America, she found the village gardens dry, the people malnourished, and the trees gone. How could she alone bring back the trees and restore the gardens and the people? Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature , says: "Wangari Maathai''s epic story has never been told better―everyone who reads this book will want to plant a tree!" With glowing watercolor illustrations and lyrical prose, Claire Nivola tells the remarkable story of one woman''s effort to change the fate of her land by teaching many to care for it. An author''s note provides further information about Wangari Maathai and the Green Belt Movement. In keeping with the theme of the story, the book is printed on recycled paper. Review: inspiring true story - This is a beautifully illustrated book which tells the true and inspiring tale of Wangari Maathi - an extraordinary kenyan women who started a grass roots environmental movement in her home country (against considerable odds) - and eventually received the Nobel prize for her courage. The book communicates this story in a way that children can understand and relate to. If you are interested in exposing children to true life role models, and you think that environmental awareness is important, then this is a lovely way to be able to to talk to them about these themes. Review: Chulísimo - Chulísimo!