Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya
A heartfelt tribute to Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai, who founded Kenya’s Green Belt Movement to combat deforestation, condenses years of activism into a lyrical narrative focusing on Wangari’s impact on both the lives of women and the Kenyan environment. Author Donna Jo Napoli imagines a series of scenes in which women from across Kenya come to Wangari to share their troubles—too little food, too little firewood, dirty water. “Plant a tree,” Wangari tells each one. She suggests a different tree for each trouble—the mukawa thorns will keep predators from chickens; the mukuyu will filter water to clean streams. And she always concludes each encounter with “thaya nyumba—Peace my people.” Kadir Nelson’s lush illustrations, done with oil paint and printed fabrics, show a greening country and the grace and beauty of those who are bringing it back to life. An afterword and author’s note provide brief, factual information about Maathai as well as sources for this account of her work. ©2010 Cooperative Children's Book Center
Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 6-10
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Formats:
Biography, Autobiography and Memoir
Picture book
Subjects:
20th Century
Activism and Resistance
Biography
Environmental Challenges
Girls and Women
History (Nonfiction)
Kenyans and Kenyan Americans
Plants and Trees
Science and Scientists
Diversity subject:
Black/African
Publishers:
Paula Wiseman Books, Simon & Schuster
Publish Year: 2010
Pages: 32
ISBN: 9781416935056
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 920 Maathai