The Big Green: A Story About the Great Green Wall of Africa

K-Gr 3–Wilson-Max’s book begins with two small children, Mariam and Issa, excitedly holding hands and walking with their parents on a dry, dusty road in Mali. The children have been told that something exciting is going to happen today, and their mother and father are carrying supplies like a shovel and bags with leaves peeking out. Upon the family’s arrival at a shady tree, digging commences, complete with onomatopoeia that captures the sounds of shovels and dirt flying. It’s soon revealed that the family is making a garden. Mariam and Issa’s Uncle Cedric arrives and tells them that the plants they will grow in the garden are their future. Unclear as to what that means, the children press him for further details. “These little trees will make life better for the animals, the birds, and all of us,” he responds. Neighbors and friends arrive to help Mariam and Issa’s family plant and water the plot. When they’re done, all that’s left is waiting for the trees to grow. An author’s note at the end of the book explains that Issa and Mariam’s parents are contributing to a tree-planting initiative called the Great Green Wall of Africa, which spans 11 African countries on the edge of the Sahara Desert. It is intended to stop desertification from spreading, provide habitats for wildlife, and promote food-cultivation. The book also shows readers how to plant and care for a young tree.