Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai And The Trees Of Kenya (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
Mama Miti by Donna Jo Napoli This entry was posted on March 5, 2013, in Africa, Earth Day, Education, Picture Books, Teaching and tagged bookreview #kidlit, earthday, kidlit, picture books, YA. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment (Edit) I came across this gem during a search for books illustrated by Kadir Nelson. I was planning a study of his work as my Black History Month theme this year. As usual, Nelson’s illustrations are absolutely amazing. But the story of “Mama Miti” is also a wonderful tale of the work of Wangari Muta Maathai.Wangari Maathai was the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Maathai received parts of her education in the US and Germany. As the book states, “she never forgot her roots.” She is Kenyan and started the “Green Belt Movement,” a national grassroots organization fighting the deforestation of Kenya in 1976. Her work calling for a peaceful co-existence between Kenyans and nature landed her in prison in 1991. She was elected to Kenyan’s parliament in 2002 and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.“Mama Miti” means the mother of trees. The story Napoli weaves in this beautiful tale is a lovely tale of peace and prosperity through the simple act of planting trees. The story also includes some Kikuyu words and phrases, which are fun to teach to elementary and middle school students. Although I found this book during Black History Month, it fits in well with Women’s History AND Earth Day activities. The lessons of “thayu nyumba” (peace, my people) and “harambee” ( pulling together for the common good) are appropriate any day, and everyday Mama Miti is a fast read which intermingles folk and tribal atmosphere with values which can relate to many such as self-reliance and strength. The illustrations look as though they were scrapbook together which gives it a unique feel. The language is rich but purposeful and the moral of the story resounds for children and adults alike. Though the plot falls a bit flat with the same advice being given time and again children also learn countless uses for various trees and impresses the importance of nature.
What do You think about Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai And The Trees Of Kenya (2010)?
Beautiful book. I really liked the colors and textures as well as the message.
—ecma
I thought that Planting the Trees of Kenya was much more informative.
—2701
