Reviews
111 Trees: How One Village Celebrates the Birth of Every Girl by Rina Singh, Marianne Ferrer
optimaggie's review against another edition
5.0
This is a very inspiring story of one man who took great loss (loss of his mother in his childhood, loss of his young daughter and loss of the natural world around him due to a marble mining operation nearby) and created huge and beautiful changes for the people of his village and the land around them. This story will gently introduce your children to topics such as death of a parent, death of a child, deforestation, water inequality, gender inequality, child marriage, etc. This isn't a light before bed kind of read. This is the kind that you read when you have time to discuss. Bonus points if you have some trees to plant with your child(ren) in their honor or in someone else's
ioanaisreading's review against another edition
4.0
The story is short and to the point. It's about Piplantri, a small village in India where the former village head, Sundar Paliwal, decided to plant 111 trees every time a girl child was born. This led to a turn-around in economy, social mentality, gender equality for children, and access to education for all children in the village.
The first part of the book is designed in a traditional children's book way: illustrations and a story appropriate for children. The last few pages are basically the same story, but without illustrations. Not sure why the choice for this approach. However, the book is worth the read. The example Sandur gave to his community and to all those who learnt of his idea is worthy of praise.
A book for both boys and girls, 111 Trees teaches children about the importance of gender equality, eco-feminism, and cultural awareness.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-book copy from the publisher via Net Galley. All thoughts expressed in these reviews are mine.
The first part of the book is designed in a traditional children's book way: illustrations and a story appropriate for children. The last few pages are basically the same story, but without illustrations. Not sure why the choice for this approach. However, the book is worth the read. The example Sandur gave to his community and to all those who learnt of his idea is worthy of praise.
A book for both boys and girls, 111 Trees teaches children about the importance of gender equality, eco-feminism, and cultural awareness.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-book copy from the publisher via Net Galley. All thoughts expressed in these reviews are mine.
livinthelibrarianlife's review against another edition
5.0
This is an AMAZING picture book to celebrate girls and also begin a discussion on Gender Inequality and what it means. The nonfiction informational facts given in the back of the book are written in a child friendly manner to help student learn the mean and how it relates to today’s world. I’m so happy to have found this wonderful book to share with my students.
lolomil's review against another edition
4.0
This was an excellent children's picture book. It definitely deals with a heavier/complex subject of gender inequality across the globe. But it had a good message and a blurb about the person behind the story and how this small village celebrates the birth of girls to continue to prosper in their land. Really impactful for me and opened up an important discussion for my kids.
panda_incognito's review against another edition
4.0
This juvenile nonfiction picture book shares the story of a man who became a village leader in India and enacted a plan to restore the environment and improve social perceptions of girls by planting 111 trees every time a girl was born in their village. This book covers his backstory, the situations that led to his advocacy, and the effects of the tree-planting program. However, it moves very quickly, skipping past obvious logistical questions, and doesn't cover the operation in as much detail as I would have preferred.
The best part of this book is the photographically illustrated author's note in the back. It explains the program in significantly more detail, answering some of the questions that the main narrative leaves unaddressed, and it also provides additional information about gender inequality and the concept of eco-feminism. I particularly appreciate that in addition to listing more commonly recognized issues, this section also acknowledges the girls who "didn't have the chance to be born at all" because of sex-selective abortion. The author shies away from the language of abortion and refers to parents choosing "not to go ahead with the pregnancy," but I am impressed that she covered this issue at all.
This book is best suited for middle grade readers and older. Even though it is written in a picture book format, it deals with the heavy topics of gender inequity, the death of a parent, the death of a daughter, child marriage, and, in the afterword, sex-selective abortion. I would not choose to share this book with a very young child, but it is a great resource for older children and adults, presenting an interesting, little-known story about one man's creative method for social and environmental renewal.
I received an advance copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The best part of this book is the photographically illustrated author's note in the back. It explains the program in significantly more detail, answering some of the questions that the main narrative leaves unaddressed, and it also provides additional information about gender inequality and the concept of eco-feminism. I particularly appreciate that in addition to listing more commonly recognized issues, this section also acknowledges the girls who "didn't have the chance to be born at all" because of sex-selective abortion. The author shies away from the language of abortion and refers to parents choosing "not to go ahead with the pregnancy," but I am impressed that she covered this issue at all.
This book is best suited for middle grade readers and older. Even though it is written in a picture book format, it deals with the heavy topics of gender inequity, the death of a parent, the death of a daughter, child marriage, and, in the afterword, sex-selective abortion. I would not choose to share this book with a very young child, but it is a great resource for older children and adults, presenting an interesting, little-known story about one man's creative method for social and environmental renewal.
I received an advance copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
libraryrobin's review against another edition
5.0
Great true tale of the difference one determined person can make. His idea of planting 111 trees to honor each girl born in his village has improved the lives of his community and the ecological conditions they live in.
jshettel's review against another edition
5.0
Thanks to Goodreads for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book! This one will definitely be on my must-buy list when it comes out.
Five stars for this wonderful TRUE story of how one man brought great change to his village in India by changing cultural norms and starting a new tradition of planting 111 trees for each girl born in the village. I learned the term "eco-feminism" through this marvelous nonfiction rendering. Gorgeous illustrations complement this rich story.
Five stars for this wonderful TRUE story of how one man brought great change to his village in India by changing cultural norms and starting a new tradition of planting 111 trees for each girl born in the village. I learned the term "eco-feminism" through this marvelous nonfiction rendering. Gorgeous illustrations complement this rich story.
gothicvamperstein's review against another edition
4.0
This is such an important book because of the story. I wish there were more Sundars in the world, as he saw how important women are, in addition to the environment. The illustrations are really amazing and fits perfectly to the story as well.
So I would highly recommend this book.
So I would highly recommend this book.
sunflowerjess's review against another edition
5.0
5 million stars for this awesome book! This is the true story of Sundar Paliwal and his still-thriving movement in his home village in India of planting 111 trees for every baby girl born. Beyond doing good things for the environment, Sundar crucially fought for gender equality in education and marriage for girls and women. I cannot say enough good things about this beautiful book and wish that every child and adult reads it!