BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL
– ADVISABLE
APPEAL TO: SEVERAL
In 1979, 16yo Jadav’s community
along a river in northeast India experienced a large flood and the aftermath
left piles of dying river snakes along the hot sandy shores. Saddened by what
he saw, he rushed to the village elders and begged them to plant trees along
the banks to hold the land more securely and give much needed shade to the
wildlife. The elders thought it hopeless. The forest department was also not
willing to help but did give him some seeds to plant trees himself. Thus began a
life-long project that has grown into a flourishing forest alive with birds,
rabbits, deer, rhinos, and tigers, and is even part of a migration corridor for
a herd of more than 100 elephants.
I have read this book several
times, and each time, I am more and more inspired by the story. Jadav faced
numerous obstacles, had to come up with creative solutions he could implement
himself, and spent years consistently exhibiting hard work and perseverance.
Working in isolation and complete anonymity until 2009, his efforts have
created a thriving piece of wilderness where before was a “wasteland”. The
quietly inviting illustrations include spreads with panels or surrounded with
white space as well as spreads that are filled edge-to-edge with color. This problem-solving
man’s story is worth sharing with anyone interested in our natural world and
our place in it.
Reviewer: P.K. Foster, MLS, elementary
school teacher-librarian
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