Dr. Wangari Maathai Plants a Forest is a is a biography of Nobel Prize winning environmentalist/activist Dr. Wangari Maathai aimed at middle grade readers. Due out 25 Feb 2020 from Rebel Girls, it's 128 pages and will be available in hardcover and audio formats.

This is a biography which is factually based but also has allowed some (unspecified) changes for narrative flow. I liked learning about her early life and struggles to pursue an education in colonial Africa as a girl from a rural and economically challenged area. She worked for her progresses and when she had failures and setbacks, she picked herself up and tried again. Strength and conviction are a recurring theme in her life and I respect her determination.

Stories with strong and believable female role models are important and welcome for boys and girls. This is a well told biography of a subject who might be unfamiliar to many readers. The art by Eugenia Mello is colorful and engaging and illustrates the story well.

Well done and worthwhile. This would be a superlative choice for classroom, school library, gift, or personal library.

Five stars.

Rebel Girls should be commended for the informative and engaging stories of accomplished women, Dr. Maathai is so deserving of the attention and accolades she receives by the recounting of her life and dreams.
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I was generally familiar with Dr. Matthai but this book increased my knowledge of all that she did. She encompassed all the ideals and qualities that should be emulated by the readers. I would recommend this book to older elementary school students since some of the subject matter may be a bit too difficult for young ones.
Her life commitment to the environment is so detailed in the book and serves as a testament to what others can do to help sustain it. It is, indeed, so timely and applicable to today. The illustrations are so vivid and powerful, What an exemplary person and book!

I adore all the Rebel Girls books for bringing the stories of amazing women to life that I otherwise probably would not have learned about. Dr. Wangari Maathai was the first Kenyan woman (and the first woman from east and central Africa) to get a PhD in the 1970s. She went on to become a renowned environmentalist - colonialism under the British had wreaked havoc on the Kenyan landscape and she started the Green Belt Movement to replant the forests that had been lost. Starting just one tree at a time, the organization has since planted millions! This book has a fantastic message for children - that every little bit can help, dream big but start small, etc. I also liked that they included instructions for young readers in the back on how to start a plant of their own!

I'm glad to know more about Dr. Maathai through such a well-told story. It's simple and succinct, yet maintains an honesty and depth that is engaging and inspiring. The illustrations are a vibrant addition that bring Maathai's culture and enthusiasm to life. I look forward to reading more in the Rebel Girls series.

Thank you NetGalley and RebelGirls for the ARC provided.

I loved this book! Brilliant and inspiring story that anybody can read, children and adults. To be honest I don’t know any woman named Dr. Wangari Maathai until I read this book. She is such an dedicated, smart, intelligent woman that really wants to take care of her place and country (Kenya) and not being afraid by how hard she was struggling just to want to save the Earth and her country.

Reading this makes me remember how I have to take care of my plants more better and how I want to take my kids to teach and influence them how to appreciate the nature and everything that has been given to us. Dr. Wangari Maathai and her brilliant ideas needs to be continued in anywhere in this world.

I really recommend this book for any children or middle grade readers, just to inspire and make them learning about how to take care the nature, how to reach their dream like Dr. Wangari Maanthai, how not to given up the dreams just like that.