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The Boy Who Grew a Forest: The True Story of Jadav Payeng Kindle Edition

by Sophia Gholz (Author), Kayla Harren (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition
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Children's Book Council Notable Social Studies Book Trade Book 2020 Recipient of the 2019 Eureka! Honors Award
Winner - Best of 2019 Kids Books - Most Inspiring Category

As a boy, Jadav Payeng was distressed by the destruction deforestation and erosion was causing on his island home in India's Brahmaputra River. So he began planting trees. What began as a small thicket of bamboo, grew over the years into 1,300 acre forest filled with native plants and animals. The Boy Who Grew a Forest tells the inspiring true story of Payeng--and reminds us all of the difference a single person with a big idea can make.
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  1. Reading age
    5 - 8 years
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Kindergarten - 3
  5. Lexile measure
    790L
  6. Publisher
    Sleeping Bear Press
  7. Publication date
    April 15, 2019
  8. Page Flip
    Not Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Not Enabled
  11. ISBN-13
    978-1534110243
  12. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 1–5—"In India, on a large river island, among farms and families hard at work, there lived a boy who loved trees." Prompted by the alarming death of hundreds of snakes stranded on a barren sandbar when he was just a boy, Jadav went to the elders of his village. They explained that the floodwaters cause erosion, which gradually shrinks the island, leaving animals homeless and stranded, like the snakes. The village gave young Jadav 20 bamboo saplings to plant. Not only did he plant the trees, he also devised a watering system and created richer soil, eventually planting more than 1,300 acres of trees. Soon, birds, snakes, rhinos, and elephants returned. When tigers appeared, threatening the villagers, Jadav planted more grasses to attract small animals to appease them. When elephants ventured onto village farms to eat their crops, he planted fruit trees to satisfy them. His understanding of ecology and human responsibility make him a hero. His decision to make a difference as a child will empower young readers. An author's note, glossary, and instructions on planting are included. Lush, realistic illustrations document young Jadav's sadness, fear, determination, and eventual success as readers watch the barren, disintegrating island transform into a living forest supporting all manners of life. VERDICT An inspirational read-aloud for units on plants, the environment, or Earth Day.—Barbara Auerbach, Cairo Public Library, NY

Review

The true story of a young boy who built a forest from the ground up in northeastern India. Inspired by the documentary Forest Man, debut author Gholz pens the story of Jadav Payeng. The story begins with the erosive impact of seasonal floodwaters on his island home, which propels Jadav to take action. A group of elders give him 20 bamboo seedlings to plant. He plants them and waters them every day, devising various methods of irrigation, and over time, his hard work pays off and a forest grows. Animals come back but with them come threats. However, Jadav inventively copes and continues to protect the forest. While the relative absence of the community throughout Jadav's endeavors is somewhat startling, the story provides young children with a real-life example of the connections between man and nature. Gholz refers to Jadav throughout the book only as "the boy" or "the man," which has a distancing effect. The depictions of Jadav himself as a child are similarly generic, whereas those of him as an adult are reasonably accurate to photographs. Moreover, facts indicate that Jadav was 16 when he started planting the trees, but the book shows him as a much younger child. The illustrations overall are detailed and engaging, however, with beautiful imagery of the islands and the forest. Backmatter provides further information, a glossary, and tips on planting. --Kirkus Reviews

This inspiring true story shows how one individual no matter how young can make a difference. The book teaches kids about ecology and sustainability while supporting positive life skills such as hard work, persistence, and responsibility. The rich illustrations capture Jadav's environment in detail with emotion and heart. --Bicultural Mama Blog

If anyone questions how much one person can do, Sophia Gholz puts these doubts to rest in her inspiring biography of a child who recognized a danger to the people and wildlife of his island and solved the problem for generations to come. Kayla Harren's exquisite sundrenched illustrations transport readers to the Indian island to show the effects of eroded shorelines, stranded animals, and the overwhelming task Jadav took on. A gorgeous and beautifully told story about the power of one will excite children to make a difference in their own way. --Celebrate Picture Books

The Boy who Grew a Forest: The True Story of Jadav Payeng: This inspiring story has a lesson for us all! Concerned with the loss of trees in on his island, Payeng began planting trees. This small wood grew to be a forest and a home for flora and fauna. --Kita B World

Payeng's story is eloquently told and beautifully illustrated.

--Booklist

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07F3B4RVZ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sleeping Bear Press; Illustrated edition (April 15, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 15, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 8664 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Not enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • Customer Reviews:

About the authors

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  1. Sophia Gholz

    Sophia Gholz

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    Sophia Gholz is an award-winning children's book author, magic seeker and avid reader. Sophia enjoys writing fiction with humor and heart. When writing nonfiction, she pulls on her love of science and her strong family background in ecology. When she’s not writing, you can find Sophia reading a book, visiting schools or exploring the great outdoors with her family.

    Sophia’s debut book, The Boy Who Grew a Forest: The True Story of Jadav Payeng, was a NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book, a Florida State Book Award Gold Medalist, Eureka! Nonfiction Honor Book and a 2020 Green Earth Honor Book. For more about Sophia and her books, visit her online at: www.SophiaGholz.com

    -

    See more on the author's page
  2. Kayla Harren

    Kayla Harren

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Kayla Harren graduated from the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City with a BFA in Illustration. Books she illustrated include A BOY LIKE YOU (winner of the 2019 Eureka Gold Award) and THE BOY WHO GREW A FOREST (winner of the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award). Her work has been featured in the Society of Illustrators, American Illustration, Communication Arts, 3x3 Magazine, and she won the Highlights for Children Pewter Plate Award.

    Kayla loves animals, playing volleyball, hiking, and eating cookies with frosting. She lives in Minnesota with her husband and adorable dogs.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
347 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the illustrations beautiful and great. They describe the story as engaging, inspiring, and true. Readers appreciate the powerful message and lyrical language. They say the book is wonderfully written with simple text.

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IllustrationsStory qualityMessageWriting style
24 customers mention "Illustrations"24 positive0 negative

Customers find the illustrations in the book beautiful, soft, and gentle. They say the exuberant art is the perfect match for the author's lyrical language. Readers also mention the text takes them on a beautiful journey.

"...Simple text and absolutely gorgeous illustrations (from the same illustrator as A Boy Like You) tell this inspiring story to a young audience...." Read more

"The illustrations in this book are excellent. My children ask to read it nearly every day...." Read more

"This was instantly a winner when I opened the book; a combination of marvelous pictures and a story that draws us in immediately...." Read more

"...complimented the dreamy rebirth of an island with soft and gentle illustrations...." Read more

20 customers mention "Story quality"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the story beautiful, engaging, and inspiring. They also appreciate the multi-cultural aspects and emphasis on the environment. Readers describe the book as magnificent, enjoyable, and spectacular.

"...(from the same illustrator as A Boy Like You) tell this inspiring story to a young audience...." Read more

"...the book; a combination of marvelous pictures and a story that draws us in immediately...." Read more

"...The illustrations are luscious and powerful. The story is an unforgettable one about determination and the importance of nature!..." Read more

"...It a wonderful story and illustrated lovely. I even love the instructions on how to grow your own forest. A+!" Read more

13 customers mention "Message"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the message meaningful, powerful, and inspirational. They say it's a wonderful addition to any homeschool or public school classroom and great for teachers and parents alike. Readers also appreciate the way it teaches not only about planting trees but also in simple ways how to enrich kids' lives.

"...I love the way it teaches not only about planting trees, but also in simple ways how to enrich the soil, deal with pests/animal life that comes with..." Read more

"...A very interesting feel to this book which left me feeling uplifted and wanting to go plant a tree! #picturebooks #plantatree" Read more

"...I think it's an important book for every classroom. It's message is so powerful, my 9yo used it as an example on one of her essays for school...." Read more

"...that one person especially a child can have on the earth is both empowering and hopeful." Read more

10 customers mention "Writing style"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style wonderful, simple, and gorgeous. They also appreciate the lyrical language and gorgeous illustrations.

"...It is now believed to measure over 1300 acres.Simple text and absolutely gorgeous illustrations..." Read more

"...Sophia's lyrical language and Kayla's gorgeous illustrations will leave you inspired and wanting to read this book over and over agin." Read more

"...The pictures are so beautiful and the text tells a wonderful story about the importance of nature and the power we each have to affect change in the..." Read more

"Beautiful book! Beautifully written with beautiful illustrations. My son loved this book and has read it several times...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Kari S.
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring True Story of Successful Reforestation
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2019
Verified Purchase
Although this is a true story out of India, the message of hope could not have come at a better time, in light of the destruction taking place in the Amazon rainforests. Jadav Payeng started planting trees as a boy when he saw that many snakes were dying due to the destruction of their forest habitat from erosion. As the title suggests, he grew a forest on a sandbar to stop the erosion and replace the habitat that the animals had lost. It is now believed to measure over 1300 acres.

Simple text and absolutely gorgeous illustrations (from the same illustrator as A Boy Like You) tell this inspiring story to a young audience. If one boy can grow an entire forest by himself, imagine what a bunch of like-minded kids can do.
5 people found this helpful
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HappyMommy
5.0 out of 5 stars A new favorite
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2023
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The illustrations in this book are excellent. My children ask to read it nearly every day. I love the way it teaches not only about planting trees, but also in simple ways how to enrich the soil, deal with pests/animal life that comes with reforestation. We live in the desert and are working on our own project to bring green life back to a barren area so we probably enjoy the book extra much!
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Hope-Librarian
5.0 out of 5 stars Great pictures, great story, and how a simple act can turn into something powerful
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2019
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This was instantly a winner when I opened the book; a combination of marvelous pictures and a story that draws us in immediately. Based on a true story, a young boy who likes trees is discouraged because he sees the annual flooding has changed many once-forested lands into sandbars, both killing animals and driving them away. The village elders give him some bamboo shoots which he takes to a large sandbar and plants. He waters them and brings bugs and fertilizer to enrich the soil, and they grow. He brings more plants and nurtures the land. Over time his trees grow into a forest and animals return. He grows too, and illustrator Harren shows him turning into a man and the wonderful animals that return to live on the river island. He protects the animals from hunters, and today it's a well-known sanctuary. The final pages summarize the real-life story, and the author suggests anyone can plant a seed. Anyone can make a difference.
10 people found this helpful
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Belinda Grimbeek
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring story with so many lessons we could all learn
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2020
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True stories have a way of grabbing your attention just because they’re real. I was mesmerized by the story not only because of the plight of a dwindling forest and the harsh realities of life along an Indian river, but also because the author was able to tell this story in a soothing and calm tone and the illustrator complimented the dreamy rebirth of an island with soft and gentle illustrations. A very interesting feel to this book which left me feeling uplifted and wanting to go plant a tree! #picturebooks #plantatree
2 people found this helpful
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sita singh
5.0 out of 5 stars An important and inspiring story!
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2019
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This is a true story of a little boy who sees a problem and cares enough to solve it single-handedly. It details the life of Jadav Payeng, a young boy who notices the impacts of deforestation and grows an entire forest with his hard work and determination. Sophia's lyrical language and Kayla's gorgeous illustrations will leave you inspired and wanting to read this book over and over agin.
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johnny huddleston
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a wonderful story for adults and children.
Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2022
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I love true stories about real people and this story was beyond anything that I expected! I love this book and if I could give it 50 stars, I would.
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JPastro
5.0 out of 5 stars A must for everyone!
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2019
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Sophia Gholz tells the inspiring story of Jadav Payeng. Worried about the animals that were dying around his village, he decided to take matters in his own hands and create a new home for those animals, by -like the title says - growing a forest. Everyone would benefit from reading this book. It's a reminder that seeing what's wrong with the world isn't enough, we must act and do our part. I think it's an important book for every classroom. It's message is so powerful, my 9yo used it as an example on one of her essays for school.
Kayla Harren's exuberant art is the perfect match for the author's beautiful lyrical language.
One person found this helpful
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Cara
4.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written and illustrated
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2020
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A great introduction for my granddaughter to issues impacting global sustainability. Telling this story of Jadav and the impact that one person especially a child can have on the earth is both empowering and hopeful.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Arindam Paul
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice illustrations and a clear message for the next generation
Reviewed in Germany on September 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
My 4 year old son likes to look at it and is very impressed by the idea of it .. I am sure he will read it when he can and derive inspiration from the person.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Life Of Jadav Payeng
Reviewed in India on June 23, 2023
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A good book to teach kids about dreams and working hard towards achieving your dreams, learning to be persistent and keep trying with all the hardship that come along the way. If an individual wants she/he can do anything they desire.
Importance of being environment sensitive and reason for forests to be around.
Very inspiring story about a young boy from Assam who achieved what is difficult for governments and large organisations to execute with all the money and resources at their disposal.
Well Written for Young Ones.
One person found this helpful
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Ligia Crisan
1.0 out of 5 stars Une belle livre mais reçu un peu abîmé
Reviewed in France on October 18, 2021
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Ligia Crisan
1.0 out of 5 stars Une belle livre mais reçu un peu abîmé
Reviewed in France on October 18, 2021
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Cyd55
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful true story, beautifully illustrated
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 22, 2019
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Bought two of these as gifts for my grandsons. Wonderful true story showing what determination and dedication can do. Beautifully illustrated and relevant in the present climate situation.
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