Wangari Speaks Out | CM: Canadian Review of Materials

Volume XXX / Issue 7 - October 20 / 2023

Wangari Speaks Out

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Wangari Speaks Out

Author:

Wangari Maathai

Laia de Ahumada

Translator:

Susan Ouriou

Illustrated by:

Vanina Starkoff

Series:

Speak Out series; Book 3

Toronto, ON: Groundwood Books, 2023

78 pp., hardcover & ebook, $15.99 (hc.), $12.99 (ebook)

ISBN:

9781773069562 (hc.)

9781773069579 (ebook)

Grades:

Grades 3-6

Ages:

Ages 8-11

Review by:

Review by Kay Weisman

Excerpt:

Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Honorable Members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I stand before you and the world humbled by this recognition and uplifted by the honor of being the 2004 Nobel Peace Laureate.

As the first African woman to receive this prize, I accept it on behalf of the people of Kenya and Africa, and indeed the world. I am especially mindful of women and the girl child. I hope it will encourage them to raise their voices and take more space for leadership. I know the honor also gives a deep sense of pride to our men, both old and young. As a mother, I appreciate the inspiration that this brings to the youth and urge them to use it to pursue their dreams.

This third volume in Groundwood’s “Speak Out” series (see also Severn Speaks Out; Malala Speaks Out introduces readers to Wangari Maathai, the founder of the Green Belt Movement which has resulted in the planting of thousands of trees in her native Kenya. Her 2004 speech accepting the Nobel Peace Prize is reproduced here, including pull out quotes and illustrations that help to clarify her remarks for a new generation of young people. The second part of the volume contains a discussion of the speech’s key points and a detailed biography of Maathai—something that adults helping children to learn about this movement will appreciate.

The black, brown, and orange illustrations are rendered in digitally enhanced pencil, marker, and acrylics. They are stylized and make use of intricate patterns often found in Kenyan textiles. Although Maathai’s speech (including a video) is freely available online, classes studying the Green Belt Movement and Maathai may find this a worthwhile investment.
Recommended

Kay Weisman is a former youth services librarian at West Vancouver Memorial Library and the author of If You Want to Visit a Sea Garden.

Subject Headings:

Wangari Maathai-Nobel lecture-Juvenile literature