The Mangrove Tree: Planting Trees to Feed Families
“These are the trees, / Mangrove trees, / That were planted by the sea. / These are the seedlings / That grew into trees, / Mangrove trees, / That were planted by the sea.” A cumulative narrative is one dimension of this picture book that tells how a project planting mangrove trees in the village of Hargigo, Eritrea, resulted in vibrant resource renewal. A more detailed narrative on the facing page of each spread describes how the trees were planted and their positive impact on the ecology and economy. They improve air quality. They provide food for animals and habitat for sea creatures, which in turn means food for the people to eat and sell. This inspired account is set against Susan L. Roth’s marvelous collage artwork. An afterword illustrated with photographs provides information about Japanese American scientist Dr. Gorton Sato’s work helping the people of Hargigo combat hunger with the mangrove tree project. Sato believes mangrove forests are one of the answers to poverty and hunger in the world. ©2011 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by Susan L. Roth
Wisconsin author, Wisconsin illustrator
Susan L. Roth was born in New York state and spent part of her childhood in Madison. She currently lives in New York.
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 6-10
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
African Peoples
Cumulative Stories
Economic Hardship and Poverty
Food and Cooking
Nature/Environment
Plants and Trees
Science and Scientists
Diversity subjects:
Asian
Black/African
Publisher:
Lee & Low
Publish Year: 2011
Pages: 32
ISBN: 9781600604591
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 577 Roth