Wangari Maathai was raised to respect the trees in her community. When she’s given the chance to go to school, she uses her education to help her community and to restore the environmental destruction that has occurred in Kenya. She launches the Green Belt Movement and helps foster the economic security of women in Kenya and beyond. Despite much resistance to such a powerful woman, Wangari is eventually elected to Kenya’s parliament and wins a Nobel Peace Prize.
Johnson’s recounting of the life of the “Mother of Trees” offers more detail than most other picture books about her, but remains accessible and moving. The bright, colorful illustrations help bring her story to life.
Use this book to highlight a powerful changemaker, or to explore issues such as deforestation (and reforestation), women’s empowerment, education, and conservation.
