Donna Jo Napoli is the author. What did she do to create this book?" (wrote the words in the story) Wangari’s brother teachers her what he learns at school; her parents see that she is smart and a hard worker.

Mama Miti | Book by Donna Jo Napoli, Kadir Nelson | Official Mama Miti | Book by Donna Jo Napoli, Kadir Nelson | Official

Author Donna Jo Napoli and illustrator Kadir Nelson join forces in this picture-book examination of the activism of Wangari Maathai, founder of Kenya's tree-planting Green Belt Movement, and winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize. Having grown up with a great respect for the mugumo, or spreading fig tree, Maathai eventually became a veterinary doctor, a university professor, and a woman who encouraged other women to plant trees, thereby combatting the deforestation of her country, and all the ills it brought. Eventually she gained the title 'Mama Miti,' or mother of trees...Donna Jo Napoli is both a linguist and a writer of children's and YA fiction. She loves to garden and bake bread, and even dreams of moving to the woods and becoming a naturalist.

Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya

Illustration from Mama Miti by Donna Jo Napoli and Kadir Nelson Mama Miti by Donna Jo Napoli and illustrated by Kadir Nelson What do you think author's point will be?" (Responses will vary, but may include: People should plant trees because there is a woman planting a tree.)Tell students that this is a true story about a woman named Wangari Maathai, who used trees to help her community. While serving on the National Council of Women of Kenya, she became dedicated to helping with the struggles of women in rural Kenya. Noticing how the rapid environmental degradation was affecting women's lives, she encouraged them to plant trees to ensure future supplies of firewood and to protect water sources and crops. To that end, she founded the Green Belt Movement in 1977, which led to the planting of more than thirty million trees. The forests are, as well a vital component of the livelihood of rural communities, providing them with firewood, food sources and, as mentioned, water. Much of the labour surrounding water and firewood is done by women in these communites. Therefore it was a logical step for Wangari Maathai to connect these issues. To protect the trees meant protecting the livelihhod of these women. To campaign for womens rights meant to protect their environment. Prévot also exposes the hypocritical behavior of moneyed Kenyans in the post-colonial period and their collusion with international capital.

Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions of Trees Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions of Trees

RI.K.6 : Name the author and illustrator of a text and define the role of each in presenting the ideas or information in a text. Talk about how one person was able to change their environment. How can kids get involved to help make their world a better place? Brainstorm ways that we can protect our Earth, use less resources, and reduce our waste. An obvious activity would be to plant a tree- in Wangari’s honor!

Home Learning Activities: Week Beginning 22/6/20 (Transition Curriculum)

A beautiful introduction for children just learning about the Greenbelt Movement.”— School Library Journal LK.1 : Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.