Wangari Maathai (1940–2011) was a Kenyan environmentalist and women’s rights activist who often clashed with the government over her efforts to plant trees, conserve forest land, and bring democracy to the country. Wangari raised funds to pay poor women a small amount to plant and care for each tree. When a new government came into power, Wangari served in Parliament and as assistant minister of environment and natural resources. Her Green Belt Movement spread to many countries in Africa and beyond. In 2004 Wangari won a Nobel Peace Prize, the first one given to an environmentalist and an African woman. Kate Coombs’ engaging narrative about Wangari planting trees and Seth Lucas’ captivating art teach young readers about this inspiring environmentalist and activist, encouraging little naturalists to Be Brave and Be Adventurous.
