Aani and the Tree Huggers

by Jeannine Atkins, Venantius Pinto (Illustrator)

Overview

A village girl in India inspires the women around her to save their beloved forest.

One day Aani is resting against her favorite tree when she hears the unfamiliar roar of trucks. She alerts the village women, the eldest of whom says the sounds are made by men from the city who have come to cut down the trees. The women explain to the cutters that their trees provide the villagers with food and fuel; are home to animals; and prevent erosion. But the men are heedless. As the cutters move closer, Aani acts with quiet, instinctive heroism to save not only her special tree, but also the village's beloved forest.

Based on a true event in northern India, Aani and the Tree Huggers presents an enduring message of environmental action. In their picture book debuts, author Jeannine Atkins and artist Venantius J. Pinto introduce a memorable heroine whose love of the earth is sure to be an inspiration to children everywhere.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781584300045
Publisher:	Lee & Low Books
Publication date:	04/01/2013
Edition description:	Revised ed.
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	225,984
Product dimensions:	7.60(w) x 10.60(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	580L (what's this?)
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

About the Author

Jeannine Atkins is the author of Get Set! Swim!, which was named a "Choices" selection by the Cooperative Children's Book Center. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and their daughter. Visit her online at jeannineatkins.com.

Venantius J. Pinto was born in Bombay, India. A fine artist, designer, and animator, Mr. Pinto lives with his wife in Sunnyside, NY. This is his first picture book.

Editorial Reviews

"An exemplary first picture book for both author and illustrator, this collaboration will appeal to a wide audience of children." — School Library Journal

"A testament to heroism, based on events in northern India in the 1970s. When cutting crews came to slash the forest, women and girls faced down the developers and halted the destruction. More books of this caliber might help save the planet." — Smithsonian Magazine

CCBC Choices - Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

From the Publisher

Gr 2-5-When Aani hears strange rumblings ``as angry as a tiger's growl'' in the distance, she alerts the village women to the invasion of men from the city who intend to cut down trees in the nearby forest. The women drop their chores to view the destruction of the trees that provide so many necessities-wood for cooking and building, shelter for animals, fruits and berries to eat. Kalawati, a village elder, tries to stop them, but is rudely ignored by these men who have official, written orders to proceed. But when Aani's favorite tree is threatened, she sets a bold example of passive resistance by hugging it. Atkins has developed a highly sympathetic character in Aani, as well as a clear picture of life in a rural Indian community. Pinto's artwork corresponds by giving readers insight into the colors and scenes of the country. Endnotes explain both the story's basis on a true incident and the gouache illustrations based on 17th-century styles of Indian miniature painting prior to Western influence. An exemplary first picture book for both author and illustrator, this collaboration will appeal to a wide audience of children, as well as prove useful in units on India or international environmental efforts.-Tana Elias, Meadowridge Branch Library, Madison, WI

School Library Journal