Dr. Wangari Maathai Plants a Forest

By Rebel Girls and Corinne Purtill

From the world of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls comes a historical novel based on the life of Dr. Wangari Maathai, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist and environmentalist from Kenya.



Wangari lives in the lush, green, land of rural Kenya where the soil is perfect for planting, the trees tower into the sky, and the streams are full of mysterious creatures. All day, she plays beneath her favorite fig tree, and at night she gathers around the fire with her family to listen to her mother's stories.



Then Wangari grows up and goes away to school, and things start changing at home. Farmers chop down the trees. Landslides bury the stream. The soil becomes overworked and dry, and nothing will grow. People go hungry. After all her studies, Dr. Wangari Maathai realizes there is a simple solution to these problems: plant a forest full of trees.



Dr. Wangari Maathai Plants a Forest is the story of environmentalist and activist Dr. Wangari Maathai, who became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. It's also a story about the importance of making your voice heard, and using that voice to protect the natural world.



This historical fiction chapter book includes additional text on Dr. Wangari Maathai's lasting legacy, as well as educational activities designed to encourage caring for the planet and believing in the power of one.



About the Rebel Girls Chapter Book Series

Meet extraordinary real-life heroines in the Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls chapter book series! Introducing stories based on the lives of extraordinary women in global history, each stunningly designed chapter book features beautiful illustrations from a female artist as well as bonus activities in the backmatter to encourage kids to explore the various fields in which each of these women thrived. The perfect gift to inspire any young reader!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Release date: Feb 25, 2020
• ISBN: 9781734264166

Rebel Girls

Rebel Girls is a multi-platform empowerment brand dedicated to helping raise the most inspired and confident global generation of girls through content, experiences, products, and community. Originating from an international best-selling children’s book, Rebel Girls amplifies stories of real-life women throughout history, geography, and field of excellence. With a growing community of nearly 20 million self-identified Rebel Girls spanning more than 100 countries, the brand engages with Generation Alpha through its book series, award-winning podcast, events, and merchandise. With the 2021 launch of the Rebel Girls app, the company has created a flagship destination for girls to explore a wondrous world filled with inspiring true stories of extraordinary women.

Reviews for Dr. Wangari Maathai Plants a Forest

[jetangen4571 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wangari was born and grew up in Kenya like so many other girls. But she went to the Catholic school, and when she graduated was given a scholarship to a university in the US. After her first four years, she went on even while her own country established freedom from the British. That freedom brought both positive and negative changes. She married while teaching women in botany and how things in the country could change in a good way through horticulture and the replanting of trees. Her husband was displeased with her work and left, but she and her children went on to the good. She and her work became a shining beacon to the greening of Kenya and a positive example to the whole world.The illustrations by Eugenia Mello are beautiful, delightful, imaginative, and colorful.Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or public library!I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Rebel Girls via NetGalley. Thank you!

[g33kgrrl · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed reading this book about Dr. Maathai, a Kenyan biologist and environmentalist who made great strides in protecting Kenya's environment and natural resources. Her story was well-told but clearly for older children; a divorce was skimmed over and references to being violently oppressed by the government were stated in a very minimal way. As an adult, it left me with more questions to research. I'm eager to share this with my kid when she's old enough, though. I received an eARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I did note that the art in my kindle version did not display properly. I hope and assume this will be fixed for the official release.