Harare Review of Books

90 pages.

Published Feb. 7, 2023 (Rebel Girls)

Children’s non-fiction.

This is a very beautiful and well-written book on the life of Nobel Prize winner and environmentalist, Dr Wangari Maathai. Although it is aimed at children, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and many adults will, too. It starts with imagining her as a girl in the village of Ihithe in Kenya, and continues through the decision of her family to send her to school (unusual in that time and place), through those school years, college in the US, and her return to Kenya to work and to complete her PhD. There is also a small section on her divorce from Wangi Mathai, and her decision to change her name. An account of her run-ins with President Moi and his government is perhaps unusual in a children’s book, but is entirely appropriate with its mission, which is to encourage children to take a stand and make a difference in the world. It ends with an activity that children can do (planting something), and information about environmental work that continues in Dr Maathai’s name. 

The book was written in collaboration with Dr Maathai’s daughter, Wanjira Mathai, and perhaps this is what gives it its air of authenticity. A wonderful tribute to Maathai, for a life well-lived.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Rebel Girls for the DRC.

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