A boy grows up to bring positive change to his village in India. This story is true, and it started with a boy named Sundar.

 

After the deaths of his mother, and later his daughter, Sundar Paliwal knows what he has to do. He is determined to live in a place where girls and boys are treated equally and where the surrounding countryside is not ravaged by irresponsible mining. And so he comes up with a plan.

 

In rural India, where many people cling to age-old customs and gender inequality and discrimination are encouraged, Sundar manages to convince the people of his village to welcome every girl born with the planting of 111 trees. Though many villagers resist at first, Sundar slowly gains their support. And today, there are over a quarter of a million trees in his village, providing food, water and opportunities for women to earn a living. His efforts have turned a desert village into a green oasis that is safe and prosperous for girls. And his heroic actions confirm that the ability to impact our communities in a positive way is not beyond anyone's reach.

Based on true events in the life of Sundar Paliwal, and written in collaboration with him, Rina Singh’s uplifting story shows how one person can make a difference in a community. Beautiful illustrations by Marianne Ferrer sensitively bring the evolution of the village to life.

 

With strong links to the science curriculum, this book offers lessons on environmental awareness, sustainability and stewardship, as well as the concept of ecofeminism. It also explores ideas of social development, community and culture, and the character education traits of responsibility and cooperation. A thoroughly researched author’s note with photographs and more information about the village of Piplantri is included.