The Forest Is a Part of Me

A poignant and powerful account of love and activism, The Forest is a Part of Me tells the story of Kenyan climate activist, Elizabeth Wathuti, and her life's work to protect the forests of Nyeri County from the devastating effects of deforestation. Her dedication to the natural world and her love of, and respect for, trees shines through on every page.

The book is beautifully presented with cut through sections offering additional engagement as children make connections between the pages, reading and re-reading the text and delighting in the artwork. The text is very gentle, almost lyrical in the main, sharing the majesty of trees and their importance in nature. One spread in the middle of the book stands in contrast to this where the tone becomes harsher, showing how quickly and thoughtlessly things can change and trees can be lost.

Grounded in personal experience, the story is perfect for sparking conversations and showing how individuals can make a difference. At the end of the book, a short biography is given for both the author and illustrator, along with additional information about deforestation and ways in which individuals can help to change things.

Teachers are sure to enjoy using this in classrooms to enrich the curriculum around environmental issues, as a way of introducing Elizabeth Wathuti's work and encouraging children to learn more about her, for inspiring environmental projects, for learning about life in another country, for the joy of the artwork . . . the possibilities are endless! The artwork is stunning, capturing the magical qualities of trees and the wealth of life they support. A lovely addition to any bookshelf!

Picture book / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 3+