Planting Peace: The Story of Wangari Maathai
on Goodreads (39)
What’s inside...
This picture book tells the inspiring story of Wangari Maathai, a women’s rights activist and environmental warrior who founded the Green Belt Movement in Kenya in the 1960s. The movement focused on planting trees, environmental conservation, and women’s rights, inspiring thousands across Africa to plant 30 million trees in 30 years. Wangari Maathai became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts.
Age
6-7
Length
64 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Wangari Maathai
Discussion points
Why do you think Wangari Maathai wanted to plant trees?
How can one person like Wangari make a big difference in the world?
What did you learn about taking care of the environment from this book?
How do you feel when you help others or take care of nature?
What are some ways we can help our own community, like Wangari helped hers?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences by asking them about times they have helped someone or taken care of the environment.
Highlight the importance of perseverance and dedication by discussing how Wangari continued her efforts despite challenges.
Discuss the concept of leadership and ask your child to think of ways they can be leaders in their own communities.
Use the illustrations in the book to engage your child visually, asking them to describe what they see and how it relates to the story.
After reading, consider participating in a local tree-planting event or a community clean-up to make the story's lessons tangible.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Environmental Responsibility
Explanation: The story introduces children to Wangari Maathai's work on environmental conservation through the Green Belt Movement. It depicts how one person's efforts can lead to significant environmental change.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of caring for the environment by engaging in recycling, planting trees, and conserving water in their everyday lives.
Example Lesson: Empowerment and Leadership
Explanation: Wangari Maathai's journey showcases how she empowered herself and others despite numerous challenges. Her leadership led to major social and environmental benefits.
Real-World Application: This story encourages children to take initiative in leadership roles whether in school projects or community activities, promoting active participation and responsibility.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Explanation: The book highlights Maathai's resilience as she faced opposition from her government and other entities but continued her advocacy for environmental issues.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to persevere in difficult situations, understanding that persistence can lead to achieving their goals, no matter the obstacles.
Example Lesson: The Power of Education
Explanation: Wangari Maathai's achievements are largely attributed to her education, which equipped her with the tools to make informed decisions and influence others.
Real-World Application: This reinforces the value of education in children’s lives, inspiring them to pursue learning opportunities to better themselves and their communities.
Example Lesson: Importance of Community
Explanation: The book illustrates how Wangari built a community around the Green Belt Movement, fostering connections and teamwork to attain common goals.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to appreciate and contribute to their communities, learning that collaboration can lead to powerful outcomes.