Rina Singh and Marianne Ferrer take us on a journey to the small village of Piplantri in the new Citizen Kid title 111 Trees: How One Village Celebrates the Birth of Every Girl. It’s a non-fiction biography about a man named Sundar who chooses to honour the girls in his village in a surprising and unique way.

When Sundar was a boy he lost his mother and every time he saw the women of the village walking he would wrap his arms around a tree, pretending to hug his mother. When he grows up and becomes sarpanch of his village, his daughter dies causing him great sadness. From that sadness an idea emerges, a way to bring vitality back to the village after the destruction from the factory. He proclaims that for each birth of a girl, the family will plant 111 trees in her honour. He then takes it a step further and tells the families that he will plant the trees himself as long as the family promises to send their daughter to school and not force her to marry until she turns 18. Through this proclamation, the village ecosystem slowly rebuilds and revitalizes. Life in the village improves and still today for every 1 girl who is born, 111 trees are planted.

Rina Singh inspires readers with the story of Sundar and the importance he places on girls in his village. It is through the planting of trees for each girl born that life in the village improves, girls no longer need to walk great distances for food and water. The air is cleaner and people are happier. It is a form of eco-feminism which is explained at the end of the story. 111 Trees, as like all Citizen Kids books, not only provides an illustrated non-fiction story, but also photographs and factual information from the village and the surrounding area so children can understand the actual implications of the story.

Marianne Ferrer’s illustrations are reflective of the moods in the story, becoming more colourful and brilliant as more trees are planted. Her art is inviting and welcoming, making the reader want to read on and learn more.

A fantastic book to inspire children to understand the connections between nature and female empowerment.