by Ken Wilson-Max
 
“Under the trees life started again. There was laughter. There was food. There was safety”. 
 
It’s an exciting day for Maryam and Issa. They and their Mum and Dad live just at the edge of a town and today they’re striding over in to the neighbouring hot, hot desert with their mobiles and a spade. While the children play clapping, Mum and Dad make their own music -"Dum! Dum! Cha!"- as they poke at and shovel away the baked earth. Suddenly, Uncle Cedric drives up in his big green taxi, opening the boot to reveal lots of tiny sprouting plants. The children ask Uncle what they’re for. “Your future”, he replies. Before long the narrative widens out to show an entire community of people digging, planting and watering, only interrupted by the occasional “Ullululululululuuuuu!” And, after a long patient wait, something spectacular emerges… 
 
Subtitled, "Everyone can make a difference", this story is inspired by the Great Green Project which has brought together 11 African nations (from Djibouti to Senegal) to work together to stem the desert’s expansion by growing trees and plants, creating a Great Green Wall. Set in a contemporary, bustling, tech-savvy Mali. Appreciated by our reviewers not only for its environmental core but for countering so many stereotypical portrayals of (a usually unspecified) ‘Africa’ in children’s books. 
 
Background note on the Great Green Wall and helpful tree-planting tips for budding environmentalists. Wilson-Max’s rich, vivid palette infuses the story with optimism. We loved the fine detail of the clothing: the textiles, the fabrics and, especially, Maryam’s collage-patterned sun hat. Even the inside cover pictures are a delight (look out for the snuffling warthog!) ‘A simple story which somehow feels like an entire journey’; ‘There is lots here for children to discuss- really nice!’ (Letterbox Library staff reviewers).  Age 4-7, Hardback 24pp