| Title | : | Dr. Wangari Maathai Plants a Forest |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1733329218 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781733329217 |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 128 |
| Publication | : | Published February 25, 2020 |
Wangari lives in a magical place in rural Kenya where the soil is rich for planting, the trees abundant, and the nearby pond full of mysterious creatures. She drinks from cool, clean streams and plays beneath her favorite fig tree under her mother’s watchful gaze.
Then Wangari grows up and goes away to school, and things start changing at home. Farmers chop down the trees. Landslides bury the stream. The pond dries up. The soil becomes overworked, dry, and unusable for planting. And people go hungry. Dr. Wangari Maathai has a simple solution to all of these problems: plant trees.
Dr. Wangari Maathai Plants a Forest Reviews
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My review contains spoilers.
Wangari is a young girl living in rural Kenya, Africa where she enjoys nature, family, and does very well in school. At first, she isn’t able to attend school because she and many other girls are required to stay with their families to help out around the home, but her mother finally decides it’s time to let her become a student just like her older brother. Wangari does very well and eventually receives a scholarship to attend university in the United States. When she arrives in the U.S. in 1960, she’s met with adversity due to her skin color. Even so, once again she excels in school, graduating after six years of education, and then eventually making her way back to Kenya.
When Wangari arrives back in Kenya to see her family, things have changed. The government is changing the landscape, and Wangari knows she needs to stop them before the whole of Kenya becomes a desert. What can she do?
“Every person who has ever achieved anything has been knocked down many times, but all of them picked themselves up and kept going, and that is what I have always tried to do.”
We recently discovered the Rebel Girls series after finding this book, Dr. Wangari Maathai Plants a Forest. What an important book series which brings attention to many different phenomenal women! Dr. Wangari Maathai is a true visionary who takes matters into her own hands, and stands up for what she believes in—for what’s right—even if it means risking her life. Her main goal becomes stopping the powerful and corrupt government from degrading the lands in Africa. She becomes an environmental conservationist that saves the lands of Africa, eventually becoming the founder of the Green Belt Movement, and moving on to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
This truly is a wonderful story about strength in the face of adversity. It’s a must read. My kids and I became profoundly inspired after reading it. Children will learn about courage, using their voice, and caring for the natural environment around them.
For children reading chapter books, this is easy to finish in one sitting. It’s written in chronological order and in a clear and concise manner, making it easy for younger readers to understand. There are full-color illustrations throughout the text and bonus activities in the back.
I highly recommend this book for schools, homes, and libraries. There is an excellent audio version which can be used with or without the physical book. We hope to read the other installments in this series as well.
5*****
You can also see this review @
www.readrantrockandroll.com -
Just into 2 pages into the book, I was like 'Well, this is a 5 star book!' and hell yes, I was right!
I seriously did not want to finish up reading this book because it's so damn beautiful and amazing and too short and really uplifting! And I will make sure to reread this one and have the physical copy with me in the future. I need to tell this story to every child and this is the book that is needed to be at every bookstore, every library and in every classroom.
This book is so damn important. It talks about female child education, women empowerment, racial discrimination, living dreams to the fullest and facing hardships.
This is the story of Wangari Mathai from Kenya who got educated with the support of her family which was rare during those days and making her way upto being one of the most influential personalities in the world.
As the title says, she became one of the foremost leaders of the Green Belt Movement which focuses on planting trees even though she was facing difficulties and harassment at one time or the other for being a woman as well as clashes with officials and the government during this journey. And yes, the tree planting movement got successful with the undying efforts of everyone involved working under a well educated woman.
I am so blessed to have read this book.
Kudos to the author, the artist and the publication team for such an amazing book series!
Thank you so much #NetGalley for the book #DrWangariMaathaiPlantsAForest -
This is the inspiring story of Nobel Peace Prize winning Dr. Wangari Maathai, the activist/environmentalist and first Kenyan woman to receive her PhD.
The biography details Maathai's childhood in the fertile land of rural Kenya, her time in America pursuing a higher education, and her eventual return to Africa where she noticed the overworked soil and deforestation destroying the land and its ability to feed the people.
Maathai started the Green Belt Movement in an effort to develop and educate the community while conserving the environment by planting millions of trees. This movement also advocated for and empowered the women of Kenya by creating sustainable communities generating income and food security.
Dr. Wangari Maathai Plants a Forest is an engaging biography with vibrant illustrations for middle grade readers. The message is powerful: one person, trying their best, can change their community and even inspire the world.
Thanks to Rebel Girls and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Dr. Wangari Maathai Plants a Forest is scheduled for release on February 25, 2020.
For more reviews, visit
www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com -
This is the story of Wangari Maathai from Kenya who got educated with the support of her family which was rare during those days specially for a girl.
She enjoys nature, family, does very well in school and eventually receives a scholarship to attend university in the United States. When she arrives in the U.S. in 1960, she’s met with adversity due to her skin color. Even so, once again she excels in school, graduating after six years of education, and then eventually making her way back to Kenya.
When Wangari arrives back in Kenya to see her family, things have changed. The government is changing the landscape, and Wangari knows she needs to stop them before the whole of Kenya becomes a desert. -
Another great addition to the Rebel Girls´ good night stories for girls, this time about a woman whose name wasn´t familiar to me but who had won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. She grew up in Nigeria as a girl who wasn´t allowed to visit school till her family decided she could go nonetheless, so she studied till University. She initiated several projects that come from her love and knowledge of Nature and her country and finally even went into politics. Great text and pictures and the usual bonus activities.
Thanks to Rebel Girls and Netgalley for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review. -
"Like the hummingbird trying to put out a fire, it has been the small acts of individual Kenyans that saved the park. Wangari's letters inspired other to write to the newspapers about what was important to them. It was just like planting trees. When each person planted a single tree together, they created a forest. When each person raised their voice, together, they created a movement."
I am so blown away. I can't even call this a children story (middle grade) because it just made a huge impact on me! This book is refined, geniune, heart warming, and powerful.
Dr. Wangari Maathai lives in a small village in Kenya called Ihithe. The place is beautiful with rich soil, lush greenery, clean stream water, and wonderful hills where they use to play as a kid.
Girls in their generation don't really go to school since they need to help with household chores. However, when his brother ask their mother why Wangari doesn't go to school, their mother gave it a thought. Finally their mother decided she go to school and because of her good marks, she was given the opportunity to study in America.
Wangari noticed blacks were discriminated in America however people march there and stand for their rights. This was instilled in Wangari's mind that it is important to stand in what you think is right.
Wangari went back to Kenya, married, then she studied her doctorate degree and on 1971 she graduated. She then decided to come back to Ihithe and her heart was crushed. Her beautiful hometown is destroyed!Then Wangari's battle start here.
I love her story a lot. She has a strong will, a sense of purpose and she push for the things she thinks are right. She thought that the solution to the problem they face in Ihithe and everywhere is to plant trees. People doubted her, many don't like the idea and President Moi resented her. There are a lot of things that come in her way. Her husband left her because of what she stands for and how she gives such a highlight in planting trees and teaching women how to plant trees. Nevertheless, this didn't stop her from pushing forward.
This story is a proof that doing things on your own will give a huge impact in the end. The story of the hummingbird that her mother told her when she was still a kid made a huge impact on her. I think that story is sublime indeed. She plants marvelous ideas to the women about planting and she reaps the fruits of her labor.
The end of the book is wonderful. It shares how Wangari's work continues. As a person who loves nature, Wangari is fierce enough to do the things she does. I really adore her and this book just made a lot of impact on me.
Conclusion:
Definitely a 5 golden stars! Would I recommend it, of course! It's not only for middle grade children, this is for everybody!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and for Rebel Girls for this delightful book. -
What a great book about an amazing woman who wasn't afraid to face the injustices that surrounded her. To accomplish what she did despite the prejudices that surrounded her her entire life is an amazing accomplishment and a story that is wonderful for girls and women of all ages.
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Activism? Check. Environmentalism? Check. Feminism? Check. The incredible power of using your one-hummingbird voice for good? Check check check check. I LOVED this book– it is a perfect story for young readers, both engaging and inspiring, and I instantly pre-ordered a copy for my voracious-reader 6 y/o nephew. I love what the Rebel Girls series is doing for young readers, and I will absolutely be stocking up on these for when my baby daughter is at the chapter book stage. This wonderful novel had a powerful message of hope and activism for all ages– recommended for young and old readers alike. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an early copy!
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I requested this middle grade children's book through Net Galley because I’m already a fan of the great things that Wangari Maathai did for her country, Kenya, and further afield. Her story is such a wonderful success story because she pushed on against greed, danger, sexism, and helped so many people - and animals. What did she do? She showed people how to green the land when the environment was failing.
Maathai began the Green Belt Movement in the late seventies and one of her drivers was that we might only do a small thing but that small thing might encourage others and in that way create something larger. I mean, we all know about this in one form or another and some of us believe it and others think we can’t make a difference so we don’t have to try, or don’t have to change. But fortunately Maathai didn’t let that stop her and she did wonderful things with her organisation, greening the land, turning it back from becoming desert where it could not sustain people (with the poor suffering the most).
This book is a wonderful introduction for young people of what one person who cares, and realises that the responsibility for having an earth that will sustain us is actually on all of us, can do. I think many children, and their parents will enjoy and find inspiration in Maathai’s story.
I think this book would be even better in a hold-in-your-hand version because it appears to have some beautiful illustrations which were cut up onto different pages on the kindle version I read. Beyond that, the kindle version was quite good.
I know this particular story of Wangari Maathai is for kids but there were so many great lessons, even for bigguns like me. Timely lessons, too, given the current environmental crisis and the fact that here in Australia we have a government not only doing so little to help, but at times working to harm. I thoroughly recommend it, whether you have kids or just want a quick, easy primer on something who achieved so much.
Thank you to the publisher and writer, Rebel Girls (woohoo!), and to Net Galley for my copy, given in return for an honest review.
There is a lovely clip from the movie Dirt where Maathai talks about her inspiration from the story of the hummingbird and the fire.
You can watch it here. -
This fabulous middle school book tells the story of Dr. Wangari Maathai, the first African woman and the first environmentalist to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Dr. Maathai believed in the power of one and said the people of Kenya would have a forest if everyone would plant one tree, thus founding the Green Belt Movement. Like most activist, she faced opposition and even spent time in jail but stuck to her beliefs to do all she could for the people of her country. Her story is inspiring and may just spark something in a young reader - there are suggested activities in the back that can nudge them in the right direction.
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I had never heard of Dr. Wangari Maathai before, and this was a short, inspirational read. I loved learning more about this strong woman's life, how she grew up in Africa, and how she fought for her belief's and countries strength. The story of the hummingbird specifically is going to stick with me for a long time. This was a great read, and I only wish there was more of it.
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A beautiful snippet of the expansive life and career of Dr. Maathai. Written in easy to understand language, the story of Wangari Maathai is brought to life through stunning images that capture her work as an environmentalist and political activist. Dr. Maathai is a personal hero of mine and I was pleased to see that the authors did not shy away from describing the pushback she received along every step of her journey. This book is perfect for young readers and budding environmentalists and empowers young people to be courageous enough to stand up for what they believe in.
*I received a time-limited digital loan of this title by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review* -
ARC Review: Received for free via Netgalley for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
CW/TW: racism
I liked it. It's an easy read and reaches hs about an amazing woman that, despite men trying to stop her from doing so, succeed in life. She teaches young girls to beluev in themselves and to fight for what they believe is right despite government corruption and men doing what they do best—underestimating a woman and belittling her for being a woman. Dr Maathai did what had to be done to save her country and that makes me proud! -
This was a really short and informative middle grade audiobook about
Dr. Wangari Maathai, the first African woman and environmentalist to win a Nobel Peace Prize.
I've actually never heard of Dr. Maathai until now so I'm pretty happy to learn something new. This book briefly discusses a wide range of important topics ranging from sexism, racism, education, and environmentalism. Dr. Maathai is an excellent role model for children around the world and this book should definitely be stocked at every school library.
*** #20 of
my 2020 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge - Read a middle grade book that doesn’t take place in the U.S. or the UK*** -
_The e-arc of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review._
"The world is changing, why not change with it?"
This book was absolutely beautiful. I loved it.
Dr. Wangari Maathai (1940 - 2011) was an environmentalist from Kenya. She was the first African woman to win the Nobel Prize. She was an inquisitive young girl. Her relationship with her family was a delight to read about. I would recommend this book to everyone, especially young girls. The book is beautifully written and has amazing illustrations. -
It is important to include books about diverse and inspirational people in school libraries and classrooms. This is one of those book.
Dr. Wangari Maathai Plants A Forest, tells the story of Nobel Peace Prize winning Dr. Wangari Maathai, the activist/environmentalist and first Kenyan woman to receive her PhD.
Readers will learn about Maathai's childhood in rural Kenya, her time in America pursuing a higher education, and her return to Africa where she eventually started the Green Belt Movement by planting trees in an effort to develop and educate the community while conserving the environment.
Thank you Rebel Girls and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. -
I enjoyed this book a lot and would love to share it with students. It's a perfect "changemaker" text, has some tier 2 vocabulary, but is fairly comprehensible for students in middle/high school, so comprehension shouldn't get in the way. Especially interesting for students who have an interest in science!
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I'm glad to know more about Dr. Maathai through such a well-told story. It's simple and succinct, yet maintains an honesty and depth that is engaging and inspiring. The illustrations are a vibrant addition that bring Maathai's culture and enthusiasm to life. I look forward to reading more in the Rebel Girls series.
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I very much enjoyed this simple biography of Dr. Wangari Maathai, the first woman from Africa and first environmentalist to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Rebel Girls series is fantastic and a great introduction for young readers to the world of biographies.
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It is a book that tells the story of a woman who made history in her country, Kenya, at a time so difficult for women. It was a good read, I recommend!
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My hero! So lucky to have met her.
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I love this. The illustration is very good, and even if this memoirs talked about things from years ago, the issue was still closely relatable nowadays.
It's empowering and inspirative. -
Before this, I had never heard of Dr Wangari Maathai (shame on me, i know) so reading this felt a little bit like being a little kid again, hanging out in the library during the breaks and reading all the fun books I could get my grubby little fingers on. And what a read this was.
It is exactly the type of book that'll give kids (and me, apparently) a confidence-boost; seeing how this absolutely amazing woman went from not even being offered schooling initially to graduating university and becoming a loud voice for environmentalism and feminism and anti-racism and yes, yes. Dr Wangari understood the power of speaking up, of taking action and not letting anybody tell you that your ideas aren't worth it, and this is exactly the kind of energy we need now, more than 40 years after she founded the Green Belt Movement. A queen.
Given how aware the kids of today are of the massive environmental issues we're facing, I'm sure they'd love this. I sure did.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review. -
Before this book, I knew very little of Kenya and didn’t even know who Dr. Wangari Maathai was. So reading it felt like I was eight again, and in the most wonderful ways. The illustration of a woman planting a seedling on its cover transported me back to my school days when we were taken out to tree-planting activities, and it made me nostalgic yet excited to jump into the story.
Dr. Wangari is an environmentalist, activist, and feminist all in one pot. What she and the Green Belt Movement had done for Kenya sends a powerful message to reader of any age. How her story is written is genuine and sincere, and the language flows beautifully, letting the important messages shine the most. Her story reminded me about what it means to see possibilities in little things, and how to take care of the natural resources that give us life in the most simple, sustainable way.
Read the rest of my review on Bookbed.
Everything I read in 2020 here :) -
This was lovely! Dr. Wangari Maathai was an incredible woman who dedicated her life to the principles of environmental justice, feminism, and equality. I appreciated that the book included extension activities at the end that were accessible to young readers. This book made me want to learn more about Dr. Maathai and the Green Belt Movement, as well as read the other chapter books in the Rebel Girls series.
The artwork in this book was truly the icing on the cake. Colorful, vibrant illustrations really brought the story to life. I want to wallpaper my house with the endpapers. :)
My favorite part was Maitu's story of the hummingbird and the idea that not only can every small act make a difference, but like the hummingbird, it's ok if your effort is small--you're doing the best you can. -
I received this book from Netgalley/publisher in exchange of an honest review.
I had no clue who Wangari Maathai is, though her name vaguely sounds familiar. Maybe I have read a few bits and bobs about her somewhere, but my mind just cannot remember everyone. XD In this book we meet Wangari, a girl living in Kenya. A girl who is very close with nature and her family. And a girl who gets the chance to fulfil her dreams when her parents allow her to go to school and from that point even to university and more.
Wagnari loves science and biology and I just adored seeing her get all the chances. But of course, not everything is right. We read how she encounters racism. How her country is changing. From British rule to their own democracy. Well, I wonder if it is that much better given how is in control of the country. 😐 But she fights. She tries to make her country beautiful and save again. Because due to deforestation people are getting poorer. Water is harder to find. Mudslides are common. I loved how she build up an organisation. Visited women. Taught them about nature and planting trees.
It was all very interesting to read and I was just rooting so much for Wagnari. Also quite worried given the government and how they reacted. It was all very inspirational to read, Wagnari did so much for her country. And then there are the absolutely gorgeous and fun illustrations.
Review first posted at
https://twirlingbookprincess.com/ -
This is the second book in this series that I reviewed and I love the way that it brings light to women who I was previously unaware of who made important contributions in their countries. This book told the engaging story of Dr. Wangari, a Kenyan activist who won the Nobel Peace Price for her work in her country. The book covers her childhood, the unusualness of her ability to attend school, and the way that her interest in trees was built.
The illustrations were fun and added to the story, which covers her childhood to her winning the Nobel Peace Price. A really fun read for children looking for biographies. -
Thanks to NetGalley and Rebel Girls for an advanced look into this book.
An aspiring account of the life of a Nobel Prize winner and an amazing world citizen. This book shares educational insights and instructions for planting and caring for plants and trees.
Dr. Wangari Maathai paved the way for the citizens of Kenya to take care of their part of our world with boldness and perseverance. -
I did not know what I was getting when I asked for this book from Net Galley. It turned out to be informational, educational, and interesting.
Dr. Maathai was a young girl when the book started, She wanted to go to school like her older brother, but girls did not go to school in Africa unless your family was rich. Young girls were expected to stay at home with their mothers and younger siblings to keep the home fires burning.
But Wangari was lucky, her Uncle and Grandfather stepped up to get the money together and she was able to go to school and even to higher education because she was so smart and studied so hard. She even got to go to America to study at a very important University in the states, She became a doctor and when she went back to Africa she realized what needed to be done.
She noticed that all the trees when cut down and she started planting trees in her village and it took off and others started doing the same.
It was the start of an environmental agency that she was elected to lead.
The book was short, but had great pictures and kept my interest right to the end.
