by Franck Prévot
Illustrated by Aurélia Fronty
Translated by Dominique Clément
5 stars
Originally published in French, this wonderful picture book biography celebrates the life of Wangari Maathai and her impact on the world.
The book follows Maathai’s childhood in Kenya, her atypical education, founding the Green Belt Movement, and her activism to promote environmentalism, democracy, and women’s empowerment. The narration is text-heavy but it is quite engaging and would work well for older readers.
I especially appreciate the focus not just on Maathai’s impact on the environment, but also in changing the political landscape of Kenya. From running for elected office and creating the Mazingira Green Party to uniting people to strengthen their cause and being elected to Parliament.
Features additional resources at the end including a timeline of events, more information about Kenya and the importance of forests, and quotes from Maathai herself.
A fantastic read that is both engaging and informative.