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

4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 349 ratings

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.

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:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 349 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
349 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book has beautiful illustrations and an engaging story. They appreciate the inspiring, true-life story with meaningful lessons. The writing style is described as simple yet lyrical, with a clear message about nature's importance.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

23 customers mention "Illustrations"23 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the illustrations in the book. They find the pictures beautiful and great. The story is engaging with important messages.

"...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

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

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

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

23 customers mention "Story quality"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the story engaging and inspiring for kids. They appreciate the real-life details and the author's message of hope. The book is enjoyable for readers of all ages, providing an opportunity for children to face climate change.

"...It is such an incredible story, and so inspiring for my kids…I highly recommend it!" Read more

"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..." Read more

"...The final pages summarize the real-life story, and the author suggests anyone can plant a seed. Anyone can make a difference." Read more

"...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..." Read more

18 customers mention "Message"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's message inspiring and empowering. They say it teaches meaningful lessons about planting trees and enriching the earth in simple ways. The book is considered an important addition to any classroom, homeschool, or public school setting.

"...The final pages summarize the real-life story, and the author suggests anyone can plant a seed. Anyone can make a difference." Read more

"...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

11 customers mention "Writing style"11 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the writing style. They find the language lyrical and simple, with gorgeous illustrations. The text tells a wonderful story about the importance of nature.

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

"...Harren's exuberant art is the perfect match for the author's beautiful lyrical language." 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

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2024
    This book was nominated for the NC Children’s Book Award, so I purchased a copy for my school library, and every class, without fail, applauded at the end of this book. It is such an incredible story, and so inspiring for my kids…I highly recommend it!
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2019
    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
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2019
    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
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2023
    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!
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2020
    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
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2019
    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.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2019
    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.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2020
    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.

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
    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.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Life Of Jadav Payeng
    Reviewed in India on June 23, 2023
    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.
  • Ligia Crisan
    1.0 out of 5 stars Une belle livre mais reçu un peu abîmé
    Reviewed in France on October 18, 2021
    Produit abîmé
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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
    Produit abîmé
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    Customer image
  • Cyd55
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful true story, beautifully illustrated
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 22, 2019
    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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