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