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This children's book tells the inspiring true story of how an activist in the Amazon worked with other Indigenous communities to protect and preserve their sacred lands and forests.
Patricia (Paty) Gualinga grew up in her Kichwa village in the Amazon of Ecuador whose villagers believe mystical beings called Amazanga help protect the forest. Paty travelled away from home for school until she was called back – companies that said the government sold them property were destroying her people's lands to look for oil. The Kichwa community worked with other Indigenous groups to bring the Ecuadorian government to the Court of Human Rights.
Lyrically told and beautifully illustrated, this moving story will remind readers of the importance of nature conservation, perseverance, and standing up for your community.
Patricia Gualinga is a human rights and Indigenous rights defender of the Pueblo Kichwa de Sarayaku, an indigenous community in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Gualinga currently lives in Puyo, Ecuador.
Laura Resau is the award-winning author of nine highly acclaimed young adult and children’s books, including The Lightning Queen, Tree of Dreams, What the Moon Saw, Red Glass, and Star in the Forest. Laura draws inspiration from her time abroad as an anthropologist and ESL teacher. Resau lives with her family in Colorado and donates a portion of her royalties to Indigenous rights organizations in Latin America.
Vanessa Jaramillo studied graphic design, but her passion for drawing and painting led her to a path that contained what she was looking for: illustration. She focuses on intercultural bilingual education projects and has been a consultant for UNICEF and the Ministry of Education.
"Co-author Gualinga describes how she and other members of the Kichwa community fought back after the Ecuadorian government sold part of the Amazon to an oil company. As a young girl, Gualinga – referred to as Paty here – lived in Sarayaku within the rainforest of Ecuador. Her mother told her that her life and those of her people were deeply connected to the forest surrounding them. As an adult she studied in the nearby city but returned to fight for her home after men who wanted to drill and mine for oil in the forest began to use dynamite to destroy it. Together, Paty and her community took a stand against the intruders. Readers learn how Paty and several others traveled to Costa Rica to make their case before the Court of Human Rights. The story ends on an uplifting note, with the court ruling in their favor. Told in melodic, flowing verse, this inspiring tale offers a poignant example of how Indigenous peoples are exploited and speaks to the strength it took for Paty and her community to stand up for their land and beliefs. The watercolor illustrations are powerful, and many stand out on stark white or plainly colored backgrounds. The copious backmatter speaks to the authors' meticulous research. A moving account of those who spoke truth to power and triumphed. (about the Kichwa people, examples of Indigenous movements around the world, glossary, selected sources)"
– Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"In this heartfelt and personal picture book, Gualinga, with Resau, relates via animated free verse how her Kichwa village in the Amazon battled corporate destruction. "Deep in the rain forest of Ecuador" is Sarayaku, "alive with trees towering, vines winding, and frogs singing". Young Paty, daughter of "a shaman with one foot in this world and one in the spirit world", is told to be brave and show respect, "and the forest will give you strength". After she leaves for a city and earns a diploma, she receives word from Sarayaku: men with "helicopters and guns, shouts and uniforms" have come to drill for oil, claiming that the Ecuadorian government sold them the land. Aligning the book's protagonist with natural imagery, Jaramillo's watercolors depict the verdant Amazon, the urgency of the demonstrations, and the battle to save the forest. Extensive back matter concludes this picture book with a significant message: "We have the right to protect our home". Ages 6-9.
– Publishers Weekly
