Status
Available
Local notes
921 MAA
Collection
Genres
Publication
Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (2008), Edition: First, 32 pages
Description
"This is the story of Wangari Maathai, winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize and founder of the Green Belt Movement, Wangari came home from college to find the streams dry, the people malnourished, and the trees gone. How could she alone bring back the trees and restore the gardens and the people?"--Jacket.
Awards
Parents' Choice Book Award (2008)
William Allen White Children's Book Award (Nominee — Grades 3-5 — 2010-2011)
South Dakota Children's Book Awards (Nominee — 2010)
Jane Addams Children's Book Award (Winner — 2009)
Children's Africana Book Award (Honor Book — 2009)
Massachusetts Book Award (Must-Read (Longlist) — 2009)
Green Earth Book Award (Winner — Picture Book — 2009)
CCBC Choices (2009)
Notable Children's Book (2009)
Rise: A Feminist Book Project for Ages 0-18 (Selection — 2009)
Teacher Favorites Award (2009)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2008
Physical description
32 p.; 11.06 inches
User reviews
LibraryThing member litlb00k
This is the beautiful story of one woman - Wangari Maathai - who was determined to save her home land of Kenya by teaching the people to respect the land and replace the trees they cut down. Wonderful!
LibraryThing member zeebreez
Nivola, Claire A. Planting the Trees of Kenya. New York: Fraces Foster Book, 2008. This is a interesting story about Wangari Maathai. She was born in Kenya and became a woman who fought to keep Kenya beautiful. She realized that the land was becoming barren and unfirtle for crops because there were
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not enough trees to keep the topsoil. So she began a movement to plant trees across Kenya. It took 30 years to see the fruit of her labor but soon the whole country was covered with trees and this improved the lives of the Kenyans. This story teaches how one simple act can make a big difference in our world.This books also has very nice illustrations. It would be a good book to use to tie in with an Africa Unit. Age group: 8- 12 years. Show Less
LibraryThing member Cottonwood.School
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
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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 ofThe 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. Show Less
LibraryThing member annashapiro
Wangari Maathai grew up in Kenya and remembers it as green and healthy and beautiful. She goes away to America to study biology, and when she returned five years later, her home had changed. Most of the crops being grown were for corporate profit, to sell in other countries. This made trees scarce
In the author's note, we learn that Wangari was the first woman from Africa to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, and that she was an activist who inspired many people in Kenya.
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for wood, and only growing one type of crop made the ground unhealthy. Furthermore, the villagers became dependent on expensive foods from grocery stores that weren't as healthy as the crops they had once grown. Wangari convinced her villagers to stop complaining and blaming other people and to start re-planting the trees that they had been cutting down. Although many of her seedlings initially failed because there was such little water and unhealthy soil, and although many of the women helping Wangari were poor, uneducated women that were not taken seriously, Wangari's ideas took root, so to speak. She educated students, soldiers, and villagers. In the author's note, we learn that Wangari was the first woman from Africa to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, and that she was an activist who inspired many people in Kenya.
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LibraryThing member nieva21
As an environmentalist and someone who makes every attempt to leave the land as I found it I felt this is a necessary read for all. It shows us how government can exploit the land for selfish and procured. This book promotes good environmental protection and awareness about conserving natural
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resources. Show Less
LibraryThing member VanessaKi1
A sweeping story about Keny and helping to repair the damage that has been done in Kenya. She talks about empowering women and rebuilding the country, starting with planting trees both physically and metaphorically. Describes the social situation beautifully and brings the situation in such a light
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that makes one want to help change. Show Less
LibraryThing member hbender
This is a book that is a biography about Wangari Maathai. The story is told through her life accomplishments. Wangari grew up in Kenya, where trees cloaked the hills, fish filled the streams, and the people tended their gardens. She noticed that she came back from college, everything was different.
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It was her job to restore everything back to their normal ways. The author does a great job telling the remarkable story of one’s woman’s effort to change the fate of her land by teaching many to care for it. Show Less
LibraryThing member samib
I thought this was a very good book. It told a story about a Nobel Peace Prize winning African woman who showed how simple actions like planting trees could help people reclaim a better life for themselves. The depiction of African people working to make their lives positive despite pressures from
However, the subject matter and language is too long and complicated for young readers. Despite the picture book format, this book would be better suited to somewhat older children.
This book would be a nice compliment to classroom activities about plants, planting trees, Earth Day, farming and rural life, important women, or curriculum about Africa and African people. The public library could feature this book during African American History Month, Earth Day displays, or displays about notable women.
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the government or outside world is empowering. The link between people and the earth is a very good message.However, the subject matter and language is too long and complicated for young readers. Despite the picture book format, this book would be better suited to somewhat older children.
This book would be a nice compliment to classroom activities about plants, planting trees, Earth Day, farming and rural life, important women, or curriculum about Africa and African people. The public library could feature this book during African American History Month, Earth Day displays, or displays about notable women.
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LibraryThing member NataliaLucia
Personal Response: This story is so inspiring. I had never heard of Wangari Maathai before or the Green Belt movement before reading it. After reading this book, I want to do more for the environment in Tucson. I plan to plant a tree in my yard next spring. I really loved this story.
Curricular
Curricular
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Connection: Second, Third, and Fourth Graders could read this book in connection with a unit on the environment. Students could plant seeds in small cups in their classroom, and take them home when they are larger. Students could also discuss what they can do here in Tucson. For example, Tucson has many non-native plants that are killing off native plants, such as the Buffel grass in Sabino Canyon. Show Less
LibraryThing member karinaw
Personal Response:
I did not know who Wangari Maathai and it took a while to figure out why she was an important person. However, this is a good story that teaches that we can make a difference. I like that it teaches the importance of taking care of our land.
Curricular/Programming
Kenya- changes in society and practices
Agriculture- importance of taking care of the land and not depleting resources.
I did not know who Wangari Maathai and it took a while to figure out why she was an important person. However, this is a good story that teaches that we can make a difference. I like that it teaches the importance of taking care of our land.
Curricular/Programming
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Connections:Kenya- changes in society and practices
Agriculture- importance of taking care of the land and not depleting resources.
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LibraryThing member Michelle_Bales
Wangari Maathai loved her native Kenya. She also loved biology and the natural world. She left Kenya to go to college in the U.S. When she returned, the land she remembered for its natural beauty had been stripped of its "dress of green." Rather than wait for the government or someone else to do
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something, she took matters into her own hands. This is the story of what she did and how she did it. This is a story of one person affecting sweeping change and helping the land and people she loved. This book is illustrated beautifully. Show Less
LibraryThing member jenunes
Planting the Trees of Kenya is an interesting true story about Wangari Maathai, an activist who started the Green Belt Movement in Africa. A good book for middle school crowds, this story would lead to many discussions about deforestation, the Nobel Peace Prize, Africa, Activists, World-Wide
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Movements, and many more. Show Less
LibraryThing member JRlibrary
This would be a great picture book to use with a study of individuals who made a difference. Could be used in a character education program or during Earth Day or in an environmental study. Wangari Maathai won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004,
LibraryThing member LauraMcQueen
I loved this book! It tells of all the wonderful things that Wangari did for her home nation, but it also gives two great stories about making a difference. When Wangari returned from America she did made a huge difference in her country by replanting and rebuilding she gave hope to the country and
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made a difference in it forever. She also made a difference in the lives of the women of Kenya who had long just been the one caring for families, never were they the admired like their husbands, until Wangari gave them a purpose and helped them to feel as though they were doing something just as important as the men. Wangari was a bright wonderful woman and I think she is an important person for future students to learn about. Show Less
LibraryThing member Kathdavis54
Wangari Maathai went off to college only to come home to Kenya to notice her people in terrible trouble. They were poor and the overall economy was struggling. Somehow, she finds a way to help her people. Students will be intrigued by this story. How can trees help anyone? How did one person start
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this whole movement? The story will inspire and teach readers of all ages. It will definitely lead to discussions on the economy, community, and life. Show Less
LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 - the first African woman to be so honored - Kenyan activist Wangari Maathai's struggle to reverse the environmental degradation of her homeland, and the resultant increase in in rural poverty that followed it, is related for younger readers in Claire A.
The first of four picture-book biographies of Maathai - it was followed by Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa, Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya and Seeds of Change: Wangari's Gift to the World - Planting the Trees of Kenya follows its subject from her early childhood, when she learned to love the natural world around her, through her college education in the United States, and her return to Kenya, where she founded the Green Belt Movement, in response to the social and environmental changes she observed. An afterword provides more detailed information.
Chosen as one of the March selections in The Picture-Book Club to which I belong, this lovely book reads well, capturing the power of Maathai's simple plan, to replant trees, and teach the people to value them. The illustrations, also by Nivola, are simply charming! I think I might try to track down some of the other children's titles about Maathai, but it's hard to imagine any of them exceeding this one! Highly recommended!
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Nivola's Planting the Trees of Kenya. An inspirational tale, of one woman's crusade to improve the life of her people, by teaching them to be better stewards of the land, it also offers a clear lesson on the connection between human welfare and environmental protection.The first of four picture-book biographies of Maathai - it was followed by Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa, Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya and Seeds of Change: Wangari's Gift to the World - Planting the Trees of Kenya follows its subject from her early childhood, when she learned to love the natural world around her, through her college education in the United States, and her return to Kenya, where she founded the Green Belt Movement, in response to the social and environmental changes she observed. An afterword provides more detailed information.
Chosen as one of the March selections in The Picture-Book Club to which I belong, this lovely book reads well, capturing the power of Maathai's simple plan, to replant trees, and teach the people to value them. The illustrations, also by Nivola, are simply charming! I think I might try to track down some of the other children's titles about Maathai, but it's hard to imagine any of them exceeding this one! Highly recommended!
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LibraryThing member matthewbloome
This is the fourth picture book biography that I've read about Wangari Maathai and they are all wonderful. This book is no exception. It's informative and includes some new information. I think in the past I suggested comparing her with Johnny Appleseed for my kids since they hear so much about him
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that they could easily make the relation. This text really goes into Maathai's life further and sets her apart from a simple tree-planting story. It goes into the specifics and mentions the steps she went through press against gender discrimination. I like that aspect of this story. Still a simple and readable text and the illustrations are wonderful once more. Show Less
LibraryThing member afussell
This is a slightly more detailed story about Wasgari's trees. It explains that she studied biology at an American college. I would read this to middle age students studying biographies.
LibraryThing member HannahRevard
This book tells the story of Wangari Maathai, who planted thousands of trees and started an environmental movement in Kenya. This is a beautiful story that children should know about,
LibraryThing member Sandert1
I selected this book because I saw it on the shelf and had read Unbowed, Maathai's memoir, for a global environmental politics course I took. I wanted to see if the children's book held true to Maathai's memoir. For the most part, the books appears to be accurate in terms of describing in simple
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terms the devastation of the landscape caused by farming and deforestation. However, the book leaves out all of the political battles Maathai fought, and the very real physical danger she was often in when it came to defending the Green Belt Movement . I really enjoyed the illustrations and the message of hope that the author provides. It makes me want to read Unbowed again, because I have forgotten so many of the details. I think I may also use the children's book as an example of how human rights and environmentalism intersect in my human rights literature unit. Show Less
LibraryThing member KellyAnnGraff
What an incredible narrative. It manages to show the ecological benefits of small scale farming and maintaining local fauna, as well as depicting strong role models for young girls, all while maintaining accessibility and avoiding pretention. The book paints a portrait of Wagnari Maathai as a
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determined and intellectual leader and other Kenyan women, regardless of educational background, as key players in this national environmental movement. The illustrations maintain the lightness of the watercolor medium while still having intricate details and interesting textures, making the sweeping landscapes captivating without being overdone or too heavy handed. The same can be said for the book’s language: some direct quotes from Maathai provide moving imagery. This is not just a good book, but it is an important message full of positive and inspiring ideas. Show Less
LibraryThing member SuPendleton
This is the inspirational story of Wangari Maathai, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. I had not heard her story before reading this book. It is a story of hope and perseverance. Maathai helps the people of Kenya realize how their actions are destroying the environment and creating an
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unsustainable land. She teaches as many people as she can the importance of planting trees and taking care of the land. In 30 years, over 30 million trees have been planted- amazing! Show Less
LibraryThing member Remy_Ferrell
Planting the Trees of Kenya is a really good book and the story is based on the real story of Wangari Maathal. After learning of the destruction of Kenya's forest when Wangari returned back home, I was saddened. However, Wangari is a courageous and brave women, and she helped the people bring back
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the forest and fruit trees back to make the people who had once been sick and week to be healthy. The illustrations were also good, and the images of when Kenya lost their forest were sad. To see all the people grow the trees,though, made me really happy, and I am glad I read this story and now a little something of African History. Show Less
LibraryThing member hschmill22
This is yet again another book to she to impact Wangari had of the African Community. It is interesting to see the difference in all three of the books. The credibility of the books is crucial to determining which of the differences are true.
LibraryThing member kwolinski
This book is based on the real story of Wangari Maathai. Wangari is in the U. S. and learns of the destruction of her home in Kenya. Saddened by this, she returns home to help. She helped plant trees to bring back the forest of Kenya. I liked to illustrations as well. They bring her story to life,
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and have great detail to them. Show Less
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Pages
32