Review of Wangari's Trees of Peace
Wangari's Trees of Peace
by Jeanette Winter
Harcourt, Inc., Orlando, Austin, New York, San Diego and London, 2008 Color illustrations, 30 unnumbered pages.
Simple and sweet biography of Wangari Maathai of Kenya, winner of 2004 Nobel Peace Prize. This story of Wangari has engaging illustrations that closely follow the text. Wangari grows up near Mount Kenya with birds, trees, and goats. Her mother and women of the village work hard, but not too hard, planting food and gathering firewood. Winning a college scholarship, Wangari is able to travel to the United States. When she returns home, things are very different, her mother's work is more difficult, and people are less happy. Wangari analyzes the problem, plants some trees, inspires village women to plant trees. Following some hardships, over time many trees grow again near Mount Kenya.The story and illustrations make a nice connection between the village, trees, birds, animals and crops, and the happiness people feel, and the change when she comes back from school to find not only the trees gone but also the whole web of crops, animals, shade and firewood source that all depend on the trees. A nice connection is also made between Wangari analyzing the problem,planting some trees on her own in her own yard, and the progression to many people helping, until it's a formal movement spreading across Africa. The author's note at the back of the book has more in-depth information on Wangari's life, work, and awards.
This picture book would make a nice, storytime book for a younger child where the ideas could be discussed with an adult (K-grade 2), or a resource for a grade school age child (approx. grades 2-5) reading about Africa, or writing a biography assignment.
"We are each called to assist the Earth to heal her wounds and in the process heal our own--indeed, to embrace the whole creation in all its diversity, beauty and wonder." -- Wangari Maathai (from her Nobel acceptance speech)
-- review submitted by Jennifer Knight
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