As a big fan of the Rebel Girls series, my biggest frustration has always been that the stories are so short, meaning you only get to learn a little about the amazing women they illuminate. So this new series of Rebel Girls books are just what I was looking for - each book based on the life of one woman, enabling you to learn their full story. Dr Wangari Maathai was largely unknown to me before starting this book, and now I know all about the transformational work she did in Africa and the challenges she faced as a woman. An inspirational tale.

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.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own."

The end of the first chapter ended with a fable of a Hummingbird attempting to put out a Forrest fire. When asked what it was doing it said "the best that I can:

I think the story of Dr.Maathai and her inspiring mother introduces us the Kenya and it's natural beauty. It teaches to respect and appreciate the natural world around us.

Dr.Wagari is an amazing role model and has such a fascinating story, that I'm not sure I would of heard if not for this book.

Great for classrooms and homes.

Dr. Wangari Maathai Plants a Forest is a wonderful true story of a young girl from Kenya following her interests and dreams across the world and back again to fight a battle much bigger than her.

A beautifully laid out story with manageable chapters, broken up with beautiful illustrations.

This is a short novel all pre teens should have access to. A story about a great woman and a fantastic lesson in earth science, history and geography.

I was gifted a digital copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Thanks Rebel Girls and Netgalley!

Another powerful story about a woman who changed the world for herself and her community.
I love these inspiring books and to learn and I feel these books are for young and old, girls and boys.

Dr. Wangari Maathai plants a forest is another story from the Rebel Girls series which is dedicated to sharing the achievements of women around the world.

This book tells a more detailed story of Dr Maathai than we would normally get in the Rebel Girls books containing stories of many women. I enjoyed finding out more about this strong, intelligent and determine woman.

This new format, a longer story, would be a great addition to a classroom programme. The activity suggestions at the end of the book making an exploration of Dr Maathai’s story easy.

As a book chosen by a child to read, I believe that the audience would be small. My own children aged 10 and 12 were reluctant to read it, neither independently nor together. Although they have previously enjoyed the short one page biographies in the Rebel Girls books, the were not interested in a longer biography.

Overall, this is a nice story to read despite the writing being quite basic and at times hard to remain engaged.


Thank you Netgalley for this ARC, I have chosen to leave a review which reflects my own thoughts and feelings about this book.

This book is just one of many in this powerful series. Geared toward the 8-12 year old, other titles include: ALICIA ALONSO TAKES THE STAGE; MADAM C.J. WALKER BUILDS A BUSINESS; JUNKO TABEI MASTERS THE MOUNTAINS; and ADA LOVELACE CRACKS THE CODE.

These are all women you maybe have never heard of but they each had a huge impact in their chosen field.

For Dr. Wangari Maathai it was the environment of Kenya that she was so passionate about. She loved the trees and the streams full of mysterious creatures. But after going to school in Kansas she came home to a different place where farmers had chopped down trees and as a result the environment took a beating, The simple solution was to plant a forest by teaching the women of Kenya how to plant trees.

Dr. Wangari Maathai would go on to be the first African woman to win the Nobel Prize in 2004. Her voice was heard around the world and made a big difference. Sadly she passed away 7 years later but her efforts are still visible today.

The final pages of the book include a look at Dr. Wangari Maathai’s lasting legacy, as well as educational activities designed to encourage caring for the planet and believing in the power of one.

An inspiring read for all!

If your child loves the environment this is a wonderful read.

Dr. Wangari's legacy is a great example of how taking care of the environment will have a lasting effect in the world. She was able to obtain a Doctorate, but she used her instincts when it came to solving problems. Because she fought to protect the Earth, her children and many others are able to have a better life today.

This book points out how segregation was different between American and Kenya. While it did exist in Kenya, she was treated much worse in American. This did not stop her from pursing her education.

Thank you NetGalley and Rebel Girls for the opportunity to read this book.

wonderfully written, a great mix of easy to read but informative. just enough information that it gives a nice overview and the entirety of the life but leaves enough to give the reader the option to look up more details because this book made the reader curious about the person, their life or what they achieved.

wonderful read, beautifully done book and a great kids book for every age from young to old.

Enjoyable story, artwork is absolutely beautiful! Assembly of colours will definetely gather the attention of children.

Dr. Wangari Maathai Plants a Forest
by Rebel Girls
Pub Date 07 Feb 2023
Rebel Girls
Biographies & Memoirs | Children's Nonfiction | Middle Grade


I am reviewing a copy of Dr.Wangari Maathai Plants a Forest through Rebel Girls and Netgalley:


Wangari' home was in the lush, green, land of rural Kenya where the soil is perfect for planting, the trees tower into
the sky, and the streams are full of mysterious creatures. She spent all day playing beneath a fig tree, and at night she and her family gather around fire with her family to listen to her mother’s stories.




After Wangari grows up and goes away to school, things start changing at home. Farmers were chopping down trees, and landslides bury the stream. The soil becomes so overworked and dry that nothing will grow. As a result people go hungry. After all her studies, Dr. Wangari Maathai realizes there is a simple solution to these problems: plant a forest full of trees.




Dr. Wangari Maathai Plants a Forest is the story of environmentalist and activist Dr. Wangari Maathai, who became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. It's also a story about the importance of making your voice heard, and using that voice to protect the natural world.


I give Dr. Wangari Maathai Plants a Forest five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

This is a beautiful story with lovely writing that inspired a lot of imagery. I could really imagine I was there with the characters. A really great book.

These books are so fun to read, yet so important for empowering young readers! I can't wait to read more of them, and would love to pick up a collection of them for my niece once she gets a little older.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This new Middle Grade series is one that you will definitely need to watch out for! Rebel Girls have come out with a fantastic new set of chapter books about women from the past who stood up for rights, fought for change and made a difference in their communities. These chapter books are about 100 pages long, and include multiple full and part page illustrations per chapter. The text is a really good size and is well spaced. The language used is relatively easy to comprehend and is written in narrative form rather than using non-fiction text features. In a way, these books are somewhere between a picture book biography and an early chapter book historical fiction. Between the pictures and the narrative text it will be much facilitate comprehension and keep readers interested. They are super cool and I can definitely think of Middle Grade (Grades 3-7) students who would love these books! There are also fun activities at the end of the book meant to empower and inspire readers to dig deeper, ask questions and learn more about the ideas in the story.

In Dr. Wangari Maathai Plants a Forest readers will learn the story of environmentalist and activist Dr. Wangari Maathai, who became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. It's also a story about the importance of making your voice heard, and using that voice to protect our environment. I think that girls who care about plants, animals and the natural environment will enjoy this book and be inspired to make change in their own communities. I also think it is great that it is a story featuring a black female doctor who is seen as a leader in her field. This book is likely to be an inspiration for young girls, and especially girls who are IBPOC, around the world.

I would highly recommend this book to parents and teachers of Middle Grade readers looking for chapter books that feature inspiring women, teach about history and science and create openings for future inquiry. I will definitely be purchasing this series when it is published so that I can add it to my classroom library! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book!

Questi libricini sono così carini per passare una serata diversa con la mia sorellina, insegnandole la storia del mondo ma anche del femminismo, senza però essere pesante.

I truly enjoy the Rebel Girls series and I was excited to hear they were starting longer chapter books! These are perfect for ages 8+. You get so much more of the backstory on each woman. We homeschool and I like the kids to read 1 biography a month. It's fun for them to go deeper into these women's lives and stories! I have 3 girls and I love giving them strong, inspirational women to look up to! This was really an interesting read! I didn't realize Dr. Wangari won the Nobel Peace Prize. I can't wait to read more in this series!

Thank you Netgalley and Rebel Girls for my review e-copy!

This was an incredibly moving and inspiring account of the life of Dr. Wangari Maathai, from when she was a young girl all the way through her life and her fight for the environment and the ordinary people of Kenya. I had somehow never heard of her, and I learned so much while reading this.

Her thirst for knowledge and her love of the natural world were clear from the very beginning, so it is fitting that she studied so long and worked tirelessly to plant forests and protect nature.

I will be sharing this with my 3rd grader - it's just the sort of story he likes and there are a lot of important lessons in here.

It's very well-written, in such a way that it immediately draws you in and makes you want to know more. The illustrations are cute and colorful and add to the story.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Rebel Girls for providing an early copy for review.

I love the Rebel Girls series, especially these collections of middle grade fictionalized biographies. This one is about Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan woman who started the Green Belt movement and planted trees to help rural Africa. I've never heard of her despite her being the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Definitely recommend reading about her life.

Thanks to Rebel Girls and netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

My family and I enjoyed this edition of Rebel Girls. Dr. Wangari Maathai's story was interesting, engaging, and there was so much wisdom in it. The illustrations really complimented the story.
We like that Rebel Girls includes additional activities and information at the end to expand upon the story.
Thank you Rebel Girls for the copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love this. The illustration is very good, and even if this memoirs talked about things from years ago, the issue was still closely relatable nowadays.
It's empowering and inspirative.