Stand as Tall as the Trees

This was a fantastic story about how the Kichwa village of Sarayaku in the Amazon Rainforest fought against the oil companies and the government of Ecuador that had allowed them in and won an important victory in the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

One of the authors of the book was instrumental in that fight and in the continued activism to protect the indeginous cultures of the Amazon Rainforest. I was really impressed when I realized that, and for me that gives the story that much more weight and importance because it's what really happened, told by someone who was there.

The book itself is gorgeous. The story is told in an almost poetic style of prose and the illustrations on every page are stunning.

Kiddo (9) and I really enjoyed it. We were also delighted to find more information at the back - a whole page of textbook-style information about the Kichwa of the Amazon Rainforest and then two more pages about indeginous cultures around the world who are standing up for their land. (We read a book earlier this year about nomadic cultures around the world that mentioned several of the same groups, and kiddo was very interested in learning more and in learning about more cultures.)

A fantastic book overall on a very important topic and a must-have for classrooms, libraries, and home libraries.

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

"My home is alive - alive with trees towering, vines winding, and frogs singing."

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for granting me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

This is a beautiful illustrated tale about the Kichwa and their efforts to save the Amazonia from an oil company. It starts with the childhood of the author and tells us tales the Kichwa share about the Amazonia forest and the Amazanga, as well as how they depend on the forest for every day life. The writing flows nicely and the illustrations fit in perfectly with the story.

It follows the growing up process of the author and how, faced with the destruction of a such a beloved and important forest, the people push through and fight for what's always been theirs.

It's beautifully written and illustrated and I believe it conveys the story perfectly. Most importantly, it's capable of reaching people of all ages - because it's as much important for elderly to learn about this as for children.

The fight for the environment has always been tightly intertwined with indigenous' peoples rights and fights, and always will be. They're at the front of this and their voices and opinions are the ones we should listen to and amplify.

It's a short story, but I loved it.

Activism is a key theme in my classroom and this book will be perfect to add to our collection. Not only did it talk about the Indigenous groups in South America fighting to preserve the forests and stop oil drilling, but it mentioned others around the world fighting for their land and its protection.

I have added this book to my TrueStory Bookshop and recommend it in three categories:
Picture-Book Biographies ~ Women’s History
Picture-Book Biographies ~ Activists
Picture-Book Biographies ~ Gardening

https://bookshop.org/shop/KarlinGray

What a powerful story of a community protecting their lands! The word choices were appropriate for the age group, and there’s a glossary at the back for unfamiliar words.

Thanks to NetGalley for the complementary copy of this book!

This is a beautifully illustrated book that focuses on the importance of the forest to an indigenous peoples. It was a very informative and educational read that would provide a lot of opportunities to learn more, either in the classroom or at home. This is a heartbreaking yet inspiring read that shows the resilience of many when they fight for something that is so culturally important - we need more people to be advocates.

“Stand as Tall as the Trees” is Paty’s story of growing up in the Ecuadorian rainforest where the Amazanga protect her people and the environment. She goes away to school and graduates from college, then is called back home to help her community when the government sells the land for oil exploration. She leads the charge and eventually the government is forced to return the land it attempted to steal and apologize.

I love that Patricia Gualinga’s story takes very complex issues (conservation, cultural preservation, human rights) and makes them understandable to young children. The story centers on the preservation of the natural world as a human right. The lush illustrations emphasize this point. I liked that there is information at the end of the story of conservation efforts by indigenous peoples from around the world.

Classroom considerations: I like using picture books to help older students start thinking about complex issues in our world. “Stand as Tall as the Trees” will be an excellent addition to stories about the natural world and the rights of indigenous people.

Thanks to Netgalley and Charlesbridge for an advance reader copy in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for the review copy!
Incredible important story of a community in the Amazon protecting their land and the power that comes with it. Wonderfully written and illustrated.

An inspiring true story of indigenous people working to protect their land, not just for their benefit, but for all of us. I loved the first-person narration and the inclusion of indigenous ways of knowing along with scientific information about the rainforest in Ecuador. I will be adding this title to my classroom library and 5th grade ecosystem unit to pair with books about Marjory Stoneman Douglas and others who have fought to protect the natural world.

A short and concise story about how an activist in the Amazon worked with other indigenous communities to protect and preserve their sacred lands and forests.

These stories must travel the world since they are super necessary, and many times silenced. I love the fact that it is a story for children because it is very well told, with beautiful illustrations that allow us to delve into each of the scenes that they show us.

Hopefully these types of books will be more socialized, throughout the world and with all the communities and people who have done so much good to the natural world. And that we stop looking the other way when we see injustices, that we get involved and that they see that not all of us agree with what is being done, with the destruction of our planet.

Thanks Charlesbridge for the ARC I read through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A beautifully illustrated and written picture book. Gualinga's advocacy experiences shape the story and display hope for a future of change through her years of hard work. The watercolor illustrations pair harmoniously with the story and demonstrate the power of the forest being described. The book presents the story and information in a child-friendly manner, including an informational guide at the end for those wanting to learn more. Beautifully done and an impactful read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for the advanced copy!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC. True story of the Kichwa people, Indigenous to Ecuador, and their successful struggle to save their land from oil companies. The back of the book also has information about other indigenous populations across the world and the work they have done to protect their land too - good potential for inquiry and further research.

4.5/5 rounded up to 5

Quite short and succinct, I actually wish parts had been a bit more detailed but the message is still there. The strong words are paired with lovely, delicate illustrations. These stories need to be told and must be heard 🌳💚

This is a beautifully narrated and illustrated story about how a community in Ecuador was able to save and protect the rain forest where they live from destruction by an outside company seeking to drill for oil. Told with much feeling and accompanied by well-designed and thoughtful illustrations, this book shows how the power of local community succeeded in preserving their environment. Back matter includes additional information about the Kichwa people of the Amazon rain forest as well as other indigenous people around the world who are standing up for their land, and a list of selected sources. A fine choice to share with children.

The Kichwa indigenous people of Ecuador hold their Amazonian rainforest land on which they live in great respect, unlike the companies who, without their permission, came onto their lands to find oil, desecrated the land, and disrupted the livelihood of the Kichwa. Beautifully illustrated inspirational true story of the Kichwa who took their case to an international court of law to prevent the Ecuadorian government from allowing further destruction of their land by oil companies. Perfect example of community action to preserve one's environment while saving the Earth.
Thank you to Charlesbridge and NetGalley for the digital arc.

I received this ARC thanks to Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Wonderful book with a wonderful message. I wish more indigenous communities the same outcome as this one.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Stand as Tall as the Trees” by Patricia Gualinga and Laura Resau is an inspiring true story that highlights the efforts of an Amazonian activist and her collaboration with other Indigenous communities to protect and preserve their sacred lands and forests.

The protagonist, Patricia (Paty) Gualinga, was raised in her Kichwa village in the Ecuadorian Amazon. In her village, mystical beings known as Amazanga played a crucial role in safeguarding the forest. Paty left her home to pursue education but returned when she learned that companies claiming government-sanctioned land rights were destroying her people’s ancestral territories in search of oil. Together with other Indigenous groups, the Kichwa community took legal action against the Ecuadorian government, seeking justice at the Court of Human Rights.

The book skillfully weaves together lyrical storytelling and beautiful illustrations, creating a captivating narrative. The soft watercolor-like illustrations add depth and charm to the story. The authors effectively convey a powerful message about the importance of nature conservation, perseverance, and standing up for one’s community in a way that young children can understand.

“Stand as Tall as the Trees” is undeniably an inspiring story that resonates with readers of all ages.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

This lovely picture books shares the story of a Kichwa indigenous group whose home is in the Amazon rain forest in Ecuador. It explains, with gorgeous illustrations, their community's respect for the forest and their fight to save it from oil companies sent in by the Ecuadorean government.

It caught my attention because I am looking for picture books about advocacy, but it would also be great if you are looking for books about indigenous cultures or the environment. I would love to get a copy of this for my school's library and teach with it in library classes.

There are a few non-English words used in the book and a glossary for them at the back. There is also a bit at the end with further information about the book's content, and other indigenous groups' similar work around the world.

In this picture book for older readers, a young woman describes how the Kichwa people of Ecuador fought the government after an oil company took over their rain forest. They won back the forest after an appeal to the Court of Human Rights. The Indigenous people believe the rain forest has spirits called the Amazanga that help to keep the plants, animals, and water healthy and that the oil company’s work was killing both nature and these spirits. Some readers may need more information to follow what occurred. Watercolor illustrations depict the people and landscape, adding some details to the concise text. Back matter includes more information on the efforts to preserve the rainforest, how other Indigenous people on other continents fought for their land, a glossary, and sources.

A beautiful way to learn about the Quechua (Kichwa) people, particularly those in the Amazon. I love learning through a beautifully illustrated picture book. A very interesting addition to a primary classroom.

This book was such a beautiful and moving story. The illustrations added the depth of emotion to the story. I’m teaching a unit on Brazil next year and this is the text I’d like to teach from. Absolutely brilliant- 5 stars!

What a gorgeous picture book! Stand as Tall as the Trees tells the true story of Paty (one of the co-authors) from her childhood in the forests of Ecuador and the stories her Kichwa native community tells about the forest and the magical beings who rule it to her fight to stop an oil company from destroying her home after the government sold the land. This very moving story is complimented by the gorgeous watercolor illustrations that are judiciously used to highlight key aspects and moments in the book. I really enjoyed reading through the back matter which gives lots of information about the Kichwa people as well as how indigenous peoples around the world are standing up and fighting for their land and against exploitation. There is also a glossary and pronunciation guide for the Kichwa words used throughout the story and a list of selected sources for further reading that is organized by indigenous group.

#StandasTallastheTrees #NetGalley

Stand As Tall As The Trees is a beautifully illustrated nonfiction picture book about Patricia Gualinga (one of the authors) and her community in Sarayaku fighting against the destruction of their local environment. The story is told very lyrically, offering up background on Gualinga, Quechua lives and culture, and her specific local Quechua culture tied to the part of the Amazon that they live in. We follow them as the government authorizes the destruction of their environment through their successes fighting against the government and keeping their community safe. This is an important story that emphasises protecting the environment and respecting Indigenous sovereignty. School-age picture book readers will find this story to be compelling and informative, and the art is gorgeous. The notes at the end are especially informative for caregivers and educators looking to continue the conversation, and the listed resources even make note of which ones kids can handle alone, which ones they may need help with, and which ones include videos.

Highly recommended!

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review—a fantastic book about how a community of Amazonian people came together and saved part of the rainforest. Based on a true story, this book is a significant positive message book for kids, explaining that they too can make a difference.

Patricia Gualinga worked with other indigenous communities in Ecuador to challenge the government over the sale of their traditional lands and destruction of the rain forest.