Description

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A bold and brightly colored illustrated biography of Wangari Maathai who founded the Green Belt Movement and was the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

This picture book tells the inspiring story of Wangari Maathai, women’s rights activist and one of the first environmental warriors. Wangari began the Green Belt Movement in Kenya in the 1960s, which focused on planting trees, environmental conservation, and women’s rights. She inspired thousands across Africa to plant 30 million trees in 30 years and was the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

About the Author

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Gwendolyn Hooks, winner of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work for Children, was born in Savannah, Georgia. She taught seventh-grade math until one day she realized she wanted to write for children. Now, she is the author of 20 books for children. She writes both fiction and nonfiction to encourage children to explore their world.

Margaux Carpentier is a painter and illustrator based in London. She works on all kinds of projects, ranging from illustrated books to large scale painting and murals, and sometimes even sculptures. She has illustrated two other children’s books for Crocodile Books: Planting Peace: The Story of Wangari Maathai and Darwin’s Tree of Life.

Praise For…

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“The book covers aspects of Maathai’s life with clarity, explaining how she went from schoolgirl to biologist to an important environmentalist … Vibrant colors and patterns, along with people playing, working, and planting among the Kenyan landscape, create a strong look … A worthy addition to all biography collections.”
— Booklist

“A solid introduction to an important figure … This illustrated biography of Kenyan environmental scholar and activist Wangari Maathai showcases her intelligence and courage … [T]he story is well structured, and the details of Maathai’s life are fascinating … The arresting figures are engaging, their earth tones set off by pink- and orange-dominated backgrounds.”
— Kirkus Reviews

“A well-paced profile of an inspiring environmentalist who built a movement … Carpentier’s saturated geometric illustrations emphasize the bold impact of Maathai’s actions, including her work empowering rural women... elegant yet accessible ….”
— Publishers Weekly

"An inspirational, essential work … A thorough and colorful introduction to a world icon … Carpentier’s bold, colorful illustrations evoke the beautiful land that Wangari was so passionate about, and help create a sense of place for readers.”
— School Library Journal, Starred Review