Here is a grand deed, as basic as a science-fair project, that had a profound application bringing health and economic bounty to a small coastal town, Hargigo, in Eritrea. Dr. Gordon Santo had a brainstorm: Why not plant mangrove trees in the waters off Hargigo? The leaves would feed the town’s hungry herds of sheep and goats and provide wood for fuel; the trees’ root system would attract fish (a food and revenue source); and the trees themselves would do what trees are so good at—converting carbon dioxide to oxygen. Roth’s artwork is a treat, cut-paper and fabric collages of intense, shimmering color on a ground of paper that is electric with thick veins of fiber (photos join glossary in backmatter). Roth and Trumbore’s cumulative verse goes about its merry way on the left page—“These are the shepherds / Who watch the goats / and watch the sheep / That eat the leaves”—while a narrative on the right takes readers on Santo’s journey. He has named the project Manzanar, after the internment camp where he was placed during World War II, because he wanted to turn that experience (where he first grew desert plants) into something good. Hitting home hard is the project’s simple practicality: no high-tech, no great infusions of capital or energy—in a word, motivating, in the best possible way. (Informational picture book. 6-9)

-Kirkus Review

The story, told in the style of "This is the House that Jack Built, is accompanied by information on opposing pages about mangroves and the biodiversity they foster. An afterword includes a map, photos, and a biography of Dr. Gordon H Sato, the Japanese-American scientist who started the planting project, officially titled The Manzanar Project, after his time in the Arizona concentration camp. Then there is a glossary and pronunciation guide, web sites of interest, and the author's sources.

There are two sides to this book. On one side there's more of a story element, telling the story of the mangrove trees planted in Eritrea that helped support the villages by the sea who struggled with food so close to the ocean. The story part is simple, easily read aloud to students. On the other sides of the same page it goes more into depth about the process and who brought about change. This book could be used anywhere in elementary school and could be a great start to a STEAM project as it presents a problem and a solution. You could create a situation very similar to this one where a village/town is struggling with a problem and then have your students brainstorm possible solutions. ( )

This book is a 2012 Orbis Pictus Honor book. As soon as I saw the title I wanted to read this book. I am fascinated by stories of environmentalism, conservation and hope. I think that it is so important to introduce stories like this to children so that they know there is hope and that they can make a difference. In this true story, Dr. Gordon Sato, has an idea to plant mangrove trees in the village of Hargigo, which is in Africa in the country Eritrea. They plant 4 miles of mangrove trees that help the environment, feed the animals, which in turn feed the people of Hargigo. Before the trees were planted the people of Hargigo did not have enough food and were often hungry. The trees changed their lives. The illustrations by Susan L. Roth are a mixture of paper and fabric collage.

Amazon recommends this book for ages 6-11 but I would use it with all ages of students. It is about 40 pages long.

Summary: Part poetry part nonfiction picture book that tells the story of Dr. Gordon Soto's project to plant Mangrove trees for the people of Hargigo in Eritrea. The trees helped feed their flocks that then grew and benefited the entire community.

Reflection: Very nice picture book that is both nonfiction and poetry. Young children will enjoy learning about the Mangrove trees that were planted to help a poor community. Book also has several pages after the story with further information and pictures of the people of Hargigo, the Mangrove project, and. Dr.Soto. Finally there is also a glossary and bibliography. This is an excellent book. ( )