I Am Farmer: Growing an Environmental Movement in Cameroon

Gr 2-5--As a young child in Cameroon, Tantoh Nforba loved to play in his grandmother's vegetable garden and was eager to learn how soil, water, and weather influenced the production of food. Although his friends teased him about his low aspirations, he was determined to become a farmer. A severe bout with typhoid fever brought on by drinking polluted water made him aware of the lack of available clean water to his countrymen. Nforba's passionate interest in sustainable farming, the environment, and clean water sources has resulted in the education of a growing number of local communities and farmers. He has organized village groups to dig wells, create organic farms, and reduce pollution. Bold full-color collage illustrations bring to life his home in Nkambe and the surrounding countryside, and photographs of Nforba and his family add to the reality of the inspirational story. The authors share African proverbs, both ancient and modern, that have motivated Nforba and his community. VERDICT A valuable work for early lessons on the environment and small-scale community action, and a reminder that one person can bring about change even in difficult circumstances.--Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly at Trinity-Pawling School, NY

Even as a young child Tantoh Nforba loves the rich soils of his native northwestern Cameroon, earning the nickname 'Farmer' from his mocking classmates; family members discourage him from following his passion in favor of aiming for an office job. Owning the nickname proudly—he even writes it on his school uniform—he rejects their judgment and grows up to become not just a farmer but an effective advocate for clean water and safe agricultural practices. He founds a successful nonprofit organization and contributes to the health and well-being of countless communities across Cameroon ('In the twenty years since he first put on the Farmer shirt, Tantoh has installed or consulted on the building of more than sixty wells or spring catchments and inspired the planting of more than eight hundred home, school, or community gardens'). This heartening story—accompanied in front and back matter by the authors' photographs, maps, and additional commentary about their time with Nforba and his family—conveys the importance of sound agricultural practices across farms, schoolyards, communities, and nations. In Zunon's colorful mixed-media illustrations, the vibrancy of people, water, and especially the contrasting soils of the wet and dry seasons showcase the movement that Farmer Tantoh has built. The back matter also includes a brief glossary/pronunciation guide of Limbum (one of the languages of Cameroon) words.—The Horn Book Magazine