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! ( )

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. ( )