This is a sweet little book about Jadav Payeng, a boy who set out with the mission to save his home by planting a forest that is now part of a migratory route for a herd of elephants and currently home to many varieties of trees and wildlife. This is an uplifting take about a man I doubt many Americans know of.

The illustrations in this book were absolutely beautiful.

I’d buy this book for a child in my life.

**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc I received in exchange for my honest review**

Madagascar Payeng planted trees in a sandbar. No one thought he would be successful. He did not give up. The trees grew in the sandbar. He had caused a forest to grow making homes for many animals and plants.

The picture book due to the illustrator made me feel like I watched this remarkable person doing what everyone thought was impossible. It is a remarkable true story. I thought it was amazing decided to see something that was not possible happened. The author did an excellent writing this life. It’s important to remind ourselves that trees are very necessary for earth.

A rich story of how one person can make a difference. Jadav Payeng lived by a raging river in India. The water took away valuable resources and he saw a way by planting trees that he could save the island where he lived. In planting those trees, he created a forest and a whole new habitant. His story is encouraging for young and old. A great teaching moment of what is going on in the rest of the world. The illustrations are vivid and the story is short for young readers.

Highly recommend.

A special thank you to NorthSouth Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

I love books that teach me something, and The Forest Keeper definitely did. This illustrated book teaches the true story of Jadav Payeng who as a boy wanted to do something about the loss of trees around him due to flooding. He kept getting told that nothing would grow on the sandbar, but over time Jadav Payeng created the right conditions for a forest to form complete with wildlife. Such a good example of how one person can truly make a difference.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy of this book for an honest review. (Publish Date: 04/18/2023)

“The Forest Keeper – the true story of Jadav Payeng” by Rina Singh is a beautifully illustrated and wonderfully inspiring book for children of all ages.

This picture book begins with Jadav Payeng as a 16-year-old Indian boy who was horrified to find hundreds of water snakes had washed over the riverbanks and died in the hot sun due to no tree cover. He pleaded to the elders and his local forest department for help to start growing trees, but none of them were interested in Jadav’s project because they said trees wouldn’t grow on sandbars.

The story then follows Jadav’s journey as he planted hundreds of tree seeds until a forest was born. Jadav faces many trials, but his unwavering determination is greatly inspiring and shows how just one person can make a huge difference.

Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend this nonfiction children’s book to all ages! It’s such an inspiring story and would be perfect for a classroom setting since it encourages meaningful discussions.

My beautiful story This is a great town's book. The sketching is also very beautiful. The story is fine hope and how are you persevere in life. J ADN J do not listen to people you weren't implanted as bamboo on this river I I O ANSI . Over the years he planted different trees And the monsters took the S END S And spread the Round I I LSAND. The villagers do not understand this because the elephants came into the village they were not happy So So he planned many different things so the The elephants would not go into the villages. This is a really happy story and I loved it. He kept after it and he finally got married. His children still keep it on with him

Thank you to NorthSouth Books and NetGalley for an e-ARC to read and review. I have never read about Jadav Payeng before, but this was both a nice introduction and also a great story about looking for real, lasting solutions to challenges we encounter. I enjoyed both the real story of a boy who planted the beginnings of a forest and cultivated his plants into a useful and beautiful zone. I also thought the text did a great job at showcasing when new problems would arise, there was a solution that got to the root of the issue rather than a band-aid fix. (For example, the forest brought animals and the animals would then come into town - and the long-term solution is making sure they have a reliable food source so they're not even tempted to go looking anywhere else.) Well done all around!

The Forest Keeper took me by surprise and tugged at my heart strings! It tells the story of Jadav Payeng and his lifelong work. I won't spoil the story for you, but he is proof that one person can change their world for the better! The art is colorful and beautiful with such movement! The writing is a mix of informative and insightful! This is definitely a book I would reccomend to read to your littles during April and Earth Day!

This is definitely a good book to give kids a different perspective on another part of the world, To know that it is based on a true story and that one single person can accomplish something so big and impactful is an important lesson for kids. Stories like this are stories that need to be told.

An easy to read book for both children and adults. If you read the nicely formatted illustrated version, the visual and narrative experience is quite enjoyable.

The story is about having a vision and believing in it, no matter what the world says.

The Forrest Keeper was a refreshing read about the impact one person had in their local environment and how they were able to better it regardless of what others thought and said. I loved the illustration and how well it paired with the text. The author also did a great job condensing this true story into something must smaller without disregarding the extent.

My only concern given the audience it is for is that the text can become cumbersome.

I know it’s so easy to be overwhelmed by the thought of saving the planet and it’s far to easy to think that one person can’t make a difference but this story and true story of Jadav proves you can.

This short, illustrated work tells the true story of Jadav Payeng, who grew up in the state of Assam, India. As a child in the 1970s, he saw an issue that no one else was willing to tackle, not even the government officials or village officials. He began planting trees on the sandbanks to keep them from eroding away, creating a brand new environment for wildlife while protecting the area from erosion.

Although this read was quite short, it was informative and well written. It would be suitable for children and adults alike, though due to the narrative’s brevity and simplicity, it is likely more suited for children. This is a truly inspiring story about how one person really can make a different – and a drastic one at that. The illustrations were gorgeous and vibrant. I loved the style and the use of watercolors and think this would make an excellent classroom resource. This read can teach us all a valuable lesson: if you see something that truly needs to be changed, you can make a difference all by yourself.

My thanks to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books Inc. for allowing me to read this work, which will be published April 18, 2023. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

*Arc provided by Netgalley and NorthSouth Books Inc., in exchange for an honest review.*

I'd never head of Jadav Payeng before reading this. It's truly an amazing and inspiring story about how much good one person can do and how even little actions every day can become something much larger when you look back at it as a whole.

I'd say this book is definitely meant for grade school aged children. I read it with my 4 year old nephew and while he loved the pictures and that Jadav was planting like he does in the spring, the concept of creating a forest was a bit too advanced for him. He did ask me to read him the story twice though so I'd say overall it was a success. I'll keep the name of this book and when he's a little old read it to him again.

Wow! What a beautiful and incredibly inspiring story about how much of a difference ONE person can make. Truly a remarkable story.

I read it to my one year old, who didn’t exactly grasp the bigger picture of what Jadav Molai Payeng accomplished, and the incredible impact he had / has with his work… but we both loved the illustrations and all of the beautiful animals! I’m adding it to my wishlist for books for her so we get a physical copy once the book is published in April!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! I enjoyed it immensely and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received a free copy of, The Forest Keeper- The true story of Jaday Payeng, by Rina Singh, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. What an amazing story. Jadav saw a need, found a solution, and created a forest all by himself, with no help from anyone. Truly an inspirational story.

Thank you NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for asking me to read and review The Forest Keeper.

Author: Rina Singh
Published: 04/18/23
Genre: Children's Nonfiction

This is a curious story about a kid who sees a problem, finds a solution, and goes about fixing the area. He had very little help, and what help he received was go away -- take these seeds. The problem was too big for adults, they couldn't see a solution.

Jadav Payeng, The Forest Keeper, has devoted his whole life to this area, with success.

A nonfiction, children's book that seems choppy while reading, but has a beautiful message. I would like an adult version. The geography, wildlife and water sources are too complex for this simple story.

It has been said that good children’s literature will appeal not only to children but to adults as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this little book and read it more than once. For teachers and homeschool parents, this short story would be a perfect addition to lessons in science, geography, art, and personal character. The book does not have a photograph of Jadav, but a quick google search of his name brings up pictures and more information.
Enhanced by colorful illustrations, this true story teaches that doing something small and seemingly impossible and insignificant can lead to big impactful things if we do not give up. I highly recommend this book not just for children, but for anyone who appreciates an uplifting story.
*I was given a copy of this e-book by NetGalley and NorthSouth Books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I did like the story of Jadav Payeng. I think that it is an important story, particularly for children, to see that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. I like the simplicity of it and can see many children enjoying this title.

The Forest Keeper– The true story of Jadav Payeng
Rina Singh
Pub Date 18 Apr 2023
NorthSouth Books Inc., NorthSouth Books
Children's Nonfiction


I am reviewing a copy of The Forest Keeper-The true story of Jadav Payeng and Netgalley:


Can one person make a difference in the face global environmental degradation? Indian Jadav Payeng has proven that each and every one of us can make a difference. As a boy, he began planting trees on a sandbank in the state of Assam. Nobody believed that he would succeed in doing so. Since 1979 , a forest the size of Central Park has emerged, offering a home to countless animals and plants. It was not until 2007 that a photographer accidentally discovered the forest and made Payeng known to the world beyond India.


In this beautifully written and illustrated book Rita Singh retraces the story of young Jadav. In Ishita Jain's picture book debut as illustrator, readers feel immersed in the spectacular habitat whose existence borders on a miracle come true.


I give The Forest Keeper five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

This was a beautiful book. I have actually never heard of him or this place before. I think what he did, growing trees in a desolate place, is really amazing. Making a home and and protecting all that came is beautiful.
I loved the illustrations of this book. They were bright and captivating.
The story was short but engaging. We learned a lot and we're amazed that it was based on a true story.
My biggest complaint is this is not a good ebook unless you have a big device. It was hard to see the words and really enjoy the pictures.