“Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya” by Donna Jo Napoli and illustrated by Kadir Nelson is our featured book of the week due to the works of art created by Mr. Nelson for the children’s book and its ethnic theme. Below you will find a summary of the books contents, sample images from the book and much, much more.
Book Summary
Wangari is from Mount Kenya. She grew up there learning about the land and the people that inhabited it. Since she was a child, Wangari always had a love for trees. There were so strong and beautiful and they always made her smile.
Wangari began planting trees to strengthen her spirit and soul. She also encouraged the women who came to her for help to do the same. Wangari changed her country by planting tree after tree until the countryside was filled with trees and Kenya was strong.
This book is inspired by Wangari Maathai, the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize recipient. It will educate, touch and and inspire all who read it. It’s author is Donna Jo Napoli and the book is illustrated by Kadir Nelson. His incredible collage illustrations brighten the book and honor the land and the woman who saved it.
One woman. One seed.
One hope for the future.
Thayu nyumba — Peace, my people.
Images from the Book
The Creators of the Work
Kadir Nelson – Illustrator
Donna Jo Napoli – Author
About Wangari Maathai
Wangari Muta Maathai is a Kenyan environmental and political activist. She was educated in the United States at Mount St. Scholastica College and the University of Pittsburgh, as well as the University of Nairobi in Kenya. In the 1970s, Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, an environmental non-governmental organization focused on the planting of trees, environmental conservation, and women’s rights. In 2004 she became the first African woman, and the first environmentalist, to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for “her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace.” She is of Kikuyu ethnicity.
Other Books Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Kani Saburi Ayubu
February 14, 2010
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