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Planting Peace

The Story of Wangari Maathai

Illustrated by Margaux Carpentier
Published by Crocodile Books
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

LIST PRICE $12.95

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About The Book

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

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.

About The Illustrator

Margaux Carpentier a London-based painter and illustrator. She is one of the featured artists in Taschen’s The Illustrator: 100 Best from Around the World. She works on all kind of projects, ranging from illustrated books to large scale painting and murals, and sometimes even sculptures. She is the illustrator of Darwin’s Tree of Life (Interlink/Crocodile 2019).

Product Details

Raves and Reviews

“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

“Wangari started a movement in Kenya that centered on reforestation linked to prosperity. Through her tireless efforts, Wangari Maathai spearheaded an effort to not only plant trees, but also improve the lot in life of countless people … The story of this brave and forward-thinking woman is well told in this illustrated biography. The powerful narrative which conveys the keynote elements of Wangari's life is supported by the colorful drawings that appear on each page of the book. The end result is a compelling life story well told and beautifully presented in a way that it can serve as an inspiration to youngsters who may well need to take even bolder steps in their own lifetimes to salvage the world that they live in.”

– — Children’s Literature

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More books from this illustrator: Margaux Carpentier