trigger warning
<spoiler> grief </spoiler>

There is a village in India where each time a girl is born, 111 trees are planted. And this is the story of how that happened.

This is a beautiful story, it would be if it were fiction, but it's even more so since this is based on events that happened. Shyam Sundar Paliwal saw both how badly the ruthless mining of marmor hurt the landscape, and how badly women were treated in his society. He found a way to combat both by planting 111 trees to celebrate a girl's birth, which, to that day, had not been celebrated traditionally. Of course, people were skeptic, but the results spoke for themselves.

The illustrations are colourful and you see that the author knows about Indian art with the colours and pattern chosen. It's beautiful, both in message and presentation, and I can wholeheartedly recommend it.

I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sundar Paliwal is one incredibly resilient individual. He endured great loss and hardship, and rather than allowing it to destroy his spirit, he found inspiration for changing the culture and environment of his village. His story is truly one worth knowing and this book accomplishes that beautifully.

Like the other titles in the Citizen Kid series of books, this reveals the greatness of an unrecognized role model that is making a positive change in the world by taking local measures that will improve the lives of others. Paliwal seems like such kind, selfless person, and his actions seem so inarguably beneficial that I'm left to wonder how his story isn't more well known.

I will definitely be adding this book to my school's collection when it goes into print this fall. Truly inspiring and appreciated.

I found 11 Trees to be a strong and inspiring story, based on an actual person and his belief in the value of all people, male and female. The illustrations, especially of the people and the natural world, are lovely and a good support to the narrative. I can see the value in this story being read to children of all ages and races, hopefully offering a bit of hope and encouragement that one person can, and should, do what they can to make the world a better place for all of us.

I appreciate this book more as an adult reading it to myself. But I feel it will be a bit difficult to read it out aloud to a kid. As it is intended to be a children's picture book, I feel like the writing is a bit too mature for the target age group and I genuinely feel like it's not going to work out well as a read aloud.

The book handles some important heavier issues on the Indian patriarchal society, women empowerment, tye celebration of the girl child, local village politics and making a big change for the future generations against all odds.

I feel that this book is better suited for the middle grade age group rather than the kids younger than this age group.
However, I still feel like the writing could have been much better to be more suitable for the young readers.
The artstyle is beautiful and unique; the illustrations and the colours used are subtle and aesthetically pleasing. I appreciate the team and the publishers for bringing out such an important book.

I really loved the actual pictures towards the end of the book. A beautiful journey indeed!

Thank you #NetGalley for the book.

I just need to say Sundar Sir, you have my utmost respect.
I have to admit that the first reason I download 111 Trees is because of the publisher. I love Kids Can Press so much, and I may just added their newest books that are out on her to my shelf.

111 Trees is one of the loveliest books I have read in a long time. It’s a story about a man name Sundar, who fights for gender equality and healthy environment.

The case of gender equality in most Asian countries are still exist. In this book, you’ll read a little introduction how it is like in India. But as a girl who was born in Indonesia, I’m lucky because my parents always loves me and never seen me less even though I was born a girl. But for my grandma. having a baby boy is a must. You gotta have a baby boy in a family, because he is the one who’s gonna continue the family lineage and you’d be seen more honourable with having a baby boy in a family. But girl, what would girls do? Staying home, caring for the baby kind of job. And when the girl is married, she will be taken away from home.
This story hit home. It make me feel seen and accepted. I didn’t know that it would touched me so deeply.

But, I think this is one of the books that every library in the world need a copy. I mean it. It’s so educational, yet touching and important.

Sundar’s parents raised him well. It’s so beautiful to see a man he became. We need more Mr. Sundar in this world.

Thank you Kids Can Press for publish yet another wonderful, wonderful book.