One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia
Millbrook Picture Books Series
What’s inside...
This book teaches children important personal finance principles through the engaging story of Sylvester, who loves to eat sasquatch berries but sometimes struggles to find them. He learns valuable financial lessons from Stephen the Sasquatch about saving, investing, delayed gratification, compound interest, and reinvesting earnings. Additionally, the book shares the true story of Isatou Ceesay, an African woman who started a recycling movement to combat pollution from plastic bags in her community. The accumulation of plastic bags in Njau, Gambia led to environmental and health issues. Isatou Ceesay took initiative to recycle the bags, transforming her community and demonstrating how individual actions can significantly impact the world.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-9
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think motivated Isatou Ceesay to start collecting plastic bags?
How do you think the community changed as a result of the recycling project?
Why is recycling important for our environment?
How can we help reduce plastic waste in our own neighborhood?
What did you learn about teamwork and community from this story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to reflect on their own daily usage of plastic and brainstorm ways to reduce it.
Discuss the impact of community-led initiatives and how every small effort contributes to a larger cause.
Connect the story to global environmental issues and discuss how actions like those of Isatou Ceesay are important.
After reading, together look up more information about The Gambia and its culture to further understand the setting of the book.
Propose creating a small recycling project at home or in your neighborhood as a practical application of the book’s message.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Environmental Stewardship
Explanation: The story demonstrates the impact of plastic waste on the environment and how Isatou Ceesay takes initiative to recycle plastic bags, transforming them into useful products. It highlights the role individuals can play in addressing environmental issues.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of recycling and managing waste in their own lives. They can be encouraged to participate in or initiate recycling programs at school or in their communities.
Example Lesson: Empowerment and Entrepreneurship
Explanation: Isatou Ceesay empowers herself and other women by starting a small business that turns waste into wealth. This aspect of the story teaches children about innovation and using creativity to solve real-world problems.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to think creatively about solving problems they observe in their surroundings and understand that entrepreneurship is a viable way to make positive changes.
Example Lesson: Community Collaboration
Explanation: The book shows how Isatou Ceesay collaborates with other women in her community to tackle the issue of plastic waste. This teaches the value of working together towards a common goal.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to participate in community service and understand the power of collective action in creating a significant impact.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the Face of Challenges
Explanation: Isatou Ceesay and her team continue their recycling efforts despite facing skepticism and challenges from their community. This highlights resilience and perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to persist in their endeavors despite difficulties and to view challenges as opportunities to grow and learn.