It is hard to believe that is September already. I start school today! Summer is over and fall is around the corner. So is Hispanic Heritage Month! Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 until October 15 each year! Today and tomorrow we will be sharing some new picture books perfect for Hispanic Heritage Month and both are being released today! Today's book is Christiana Figueres, Friend of the Rainforest by Margarita Engle and illustrated by Nazareth Hidalgo Lobo. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.
About the Book:
Get ready to be inspired by this biography of one-of-a-kind diplomat and activist, Christiana Figueres, whose fight to protect our planet isn't over yet.Raised in the mountains of Costa Rica surrounded by lush rainforests and vibrant wildlife, Christiana always had a deep love for the natural world. From the shimmering quetzal birds to gleaming golden toads, the biodiversity of Costa Rica was truly a sight to behold. However, with deforestation on the rise and increasing pollution, the dazzling species that defined the rainforest began gradually going extinct as Christiana grew up. Thus began Christiana's journey to becoming a diplomat and eventually one of the most influential voices in the realm of environmental activism on a mission to save the planet from losing any more precious species of wildlife.
Christiana Figueres, Friend of the Rainforest is a story of perseverance sure to inspire readers from all over to take a stance in protecting our special planet.
From Me:
Now let me begin with I had not heard of Christiana Figueres. It sounds like she is an amazing person! This book shares her love of nature. It tells us the story of golden toads she remembers from her childhood but have gone extinct. She has traveled the world and worked with indigenous people, politicians, farmers, scientists, and many more in an attempt to come up with a plan to save our planet. She was part of the group who organized the conference for the Paris Agreement. She knew this was just a first step and there is so much more to do!
At the end of the book there is a biographical note about Christiana Figueres as well as a glossary of climate action vocabulary, ideas for the reader to do to help as well as the author's note where she shares some of what brought this book to life and her work for the cause. I love that the book focuses on Christiana's optimism throughout her work. The story shares just enough of her past--her parents' work with her father being the president of Costa Rica.
The book shares about a Latinx hero but also is a great book for Earth Day. Her activism is to save the planet starting with the rainforests in her home country. She knows it will be hard and that everyone needs to help, but she truly believes it can be done. What a wonderful introduction for young kids to activism as well as caring for the environment. I also love the introduction to life in Costa Rica. The author shares small bits of her life as a child as well as her work with the Bribri women in the Talamanca region of Costa Rica.
There are many different things to do with this book. If it is read in a class, they could study the rainforest and some of the animals mentioned. Obviously trying one of the ideas at the end of the book would be great and encouraging the kids to do some of them with their families. We happened to go to the zoo this weekend and I found many of the animals from South America as well as around the world. It was actually a great trip because most of the animals were out and active which never used to happen on our visits. We had a membership when Hazel was young. The zoo has changed quite a bit since then.
They obviously did not have the extinct golden toads but did have nearly extinct Panamanian Golden Frogs. They also had a new butterfly exhibit, and the monarchs happened to be the butterflies out. The monarchs will be making their voyage to Mexico soon! Of course we saw the flamingos. They used to be Hazel's favorite to see at the zoo. There were other frogs with the golden frog too. Then we saw some bush dogs and I caught one howling. The sound was high pitched. They are near threatened and live in South America. We also saw some Chacoan peccary which are endangered. They live in Central South America. It was interesting to see some of the animals I haven't heard of and that were not at the zoo previously. As we walked around, I thought about the book and the rainforest, so it was the perfect activity to go with the book.
