Environmentalist Wangari Maathai (Story of)
by Jen Cullerton Johnson (Author) Wellington D Sadler (Illustrator)
This inspiring entry in the Story of line of chapter-book biographies features Wangari Maathai, the first African woman, and environmentalist, to win a Nobel Peace Prize.
As a young girl in Kenya, Wangari was taught to respect nature. She grew up loving the land, plants, and animals that surrounded her -- from the giant mugumo trees her people, the Kikuyu, revered to the tiny tadpoles that swam in the river.
Although most Kenyan girls were not educated, Wangari, curious and hardworking, was allowed to go to school. There, her mind sprouted like a seed. She excelled at science and went on to study in the United States. After returning home, Wangari blazed a trail across Kenya, using her knowledge and compassion to promote the rights of her countrywomen and to help save the land, one tree at a time.
The Story of Environmentalist Wangari Maathai brings to life the empowering story of Wangari Maathai, the first African woman, and environmentalist, to win a Nobel Peace Prize. This chapter-book edition includes black-and-white illustrations as well as sidebars on related subjects, a timeline, a glossary, and recommended reading.
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School Library Journal
Gr 2-6--Born in Nyeri, Kenya, in 1940, Maathai followed an unusual path for a girl raised in her culture. Her parents allowed her to go to school, and she eventually won a scholarship to attend college in the United States. After earning her doctorate, she returned to Kenya to work as a professor at the University of Nairobi. She became a leader in the Green Belt Movement, an organization of women working to plant trees across the country to fight the harmful effects of deforestation. She served in the country's parliament and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. Johnson and Sadler originally published Maathai's biography in a colorful picture book format in 2010. This book's trim size is meant to appeal to an older audience, and factual sections have been added to provide scientific and historical context. In addition to Maathai's life, information is presented about the forest ecosystem, deforestation, instructions for planting a tree, and education and the role of women in Kenya. Black-and-white scratchboard, oil illustrations, and photographs are included. VERDICT There are several picture book biographies available about Maathai as well as biographies for older readers. This combination title targets a specific audience of young readers who need information, but whose comprehension will be supported by the format and visual elements.--Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA
Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Review quotes
Praise for Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace
*This debut picture biography, idealized and inspiring, draws on Wangari Maathai's autobiographical writing to present an overview of the activist's life from childhood to the present. — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Jen Cullerton Johnson is a writer, an educator, and an environmentalist with master's degrees in nonfiction writing and curriculum development. She teaches at both the elementary and college levels in Chicago, where she also conducts writing workshops. Johnson can be found online at jencullertonjohnson.com.
Sonia Sadler was an illustrator and a fine artist who focused on depicting the cultures, lives, and stories of peoples of African descent. Her book, Seeds of Change, earned her a Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent. Her unique style drew inspiration from quilts and employed a variety of techniques and mediums--from watercolor to scratchboard. She passed away in September 2013.
JNF037020 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Environmental Conservation & Protection
JNF038010 - Juvenile Nonfiction | People & Places | Africa
Tree planters (Persons)
Green Belt Movement (Society: Kenya)
Women conservationists
Women politicians
Women's rights
Nobel Prize winners
Women Nobel Prize winners
Environmental conditions
Maathai, Wangari
