Aani and the Tree Huggers

by Jeannine Atkins, Venantius J. Pinto (Illustrator)

Choices, Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Notable Children's Book, Smithsonian A village girl in India inspires the women around her to save their beloved forest. One day Aani is resting against her favorite tree when she hears the unfamiliar roar of trucks. She alerts the village women, the eldest of whom says the sounds are made by men from the city who have come to cut down the trees. The women explain to the cutters that their trees provide the villagers with food and fuel; are home to animals; and prevent erosion. But the men are heedless. As the cutters move closer, Aani acts with quiet, instinctive heroism to save not only her special tree, but also the village's beloved forest. Based on a true event in northern India, Aani and the Tree Huggers presents an enduring message of environmental action. In their picture book debuts, author Jeannine Atkins and artist Venantius J. Pinto introduce a memorable heroine whose love of the earth is sure to be an inspiration to children everywhere.

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, India, Childrens, Cultural, Nature, Environment

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Jeannine Atkins is the author of Finding Wonders: Three Girls Who Changed Science, Grasping Mysteries: Girls Who Loved Math, and Little Woman in Blue: A Novel of May Alcott. She teaches in the MFA program at Simmons College. You can learn more on her website at http://www.Jeannineatkins.com.

Reviews

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the real story behind this, of women in 1970s India protecting trees and how the laws were changed because of their efforts. It reminds me of Wangari Maathai’s efforts in Africa. There are very informative and interesting author’s and illustrator’s notes at the end.

The actual historical fiction story in this book is a good one, although it’s the real story that I find most inspiring, but the story in this book does have the right amount of drama and suspense.

The illustrations aren’t in a style I particularly like, but they fit the story and the place/time and the notes about them at the end did give me more appreciation for them. And, the colors are beautiful, especially those used in the trees, river, mountains, etc. natural world.

I’d known nothing of these efforts and I enjoying learning about them from this book; I was impressed and appreciative.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Aani, resting underneath her favorite tree - a peaceful spot to which she would withdraw, in order to find peace and quiet, and temporarily escape from the tumult of her crowded home - hears the roar of trucks in the forest, the young girl runs to find her mother, and the other village women. It is from Kalawati, the village elder, that she and the other women learn that men from the city have come to cut down their forest, irrespective of the fact that their community relies upon it for survival. Determined not to let them destroy the trees, Aani leaps into action, placing herself between the loggers and her arboreal friend, and inspiring the women to similar action...

An engaging tale that highlights both the importance of the forests for human welfare, and the importance of human activism for forest welfare, Aani and the Tree Huggers is based on a true story which, according to the author's afterword, occurred in the 1970s, and launched the Chipko Andolan (the "Hug the Tree Movement") in India. I appreciated this afterword, although I wish the author had given more historical background, and mentioned the much earlier movement and story - the tale of Amrita Devi and the Bishnois people who sacrificed themselves to save the Khejri trees of India's Jodhpur District in the early 1700s - that inspired these more recent events. I couldn't help but wonder whether Atkins took that earlier story, which does involve a young girl as catalyst, and used it in a more contemporary context, to make the modern Chipko Andolan movement more accessible to young readers. Whatever the case may be, I would recommend reading this title in conjunction with a story about that earlier movement, such as The People Who Hugged the Trees .

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Aani and the Tree Huggers" by Jeannine Atkins was based on a true story about environment action and saving trees in the 1970s. I found this read-aloud on youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fr_N.... A little girl living in India in a village absolutely loved to sit by a tree to relax. One day, Aani heard a lot of trucks. These trucks were coming to cut down the trees. The men cut the trees while Aani explained all the great benefits of trees and they were very mean to her. All of a sudden, a bunch of women started hugging the trees. The men put down their axes. The men offered rupees in exchange of cutting the trees. The women stood their ground and the men left. Peace was what they wished for. This book demonstrates hope and voices in numbers. It is geared towards 1st-3rd grade. It would be a great teaching tool for how to use your voice and the power in that.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story, based on a true incident, of a group of village women in northern India who stop loggers from cutting down their trees by hugging them (the trees, not the men!). Atkins tells the story from the point of view of a young girl, who participates with the women in the tree-hugging. I loved the colorful illustrations, and especially the details of the women's clothing and jewelry, and of the plant and animal life. Wangari Maathai would have been proud! A note at the end explained how this Chipko movement, which began in the 1970s, resulted in cooperation between villages and the government, so that logging is controlled and the environment is not harmed. This book combines beautifully with recent picture book titles about the efforts of Wangari Maathai to plant trees in Africa. Highly recommended!

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the theme of the book. It would be a good book to introduce standing up for your beliefs. However, it is a rather long book and I’m not sure if a lower grade level would understand and hold their attention.

[Amanda]

Nice

[Cara Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on real events (1970s), this story depicts how the courage of one girl (coupled with the support from those in her community) can truly make a difference. Aani winds up saving the trees so important to her village's survival and also lays the foundation for villages to decide how many trees are to be cut in order to sustain the quality of life/nature. The format is, for the most part, consistent: one page of text and one page with an image (surrounded by a simple border). At first glance, the images appear simple and flat but the color draws in the reader. The texture and shading, along with the brush strokes make the image appear to change depending upon the angle at which it is viewed.

[Jessica Deboer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a young girl in India and the women of her village saving their forest. The trees are their livihood, their firewood, tools, land holders, animal homes, and shade. Men come to cut down the forest, but Aani runs to her favorite tree and hugs it. Soon all the women and children and hugging trees. Through determination and pure guts the women have convinced the men to leave their forest alone.
This book will flow nicely into my environmental theme for middle school. Showing another country, another culture caring will hopefully have an impact on my students. I find it interesting that as I read a variety of environmental picture books they are centered on trees and women are the ones to plant or save the trees.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this gentle story of an Indian girl who discovers her inner fierceness. Her village is under threat of being mowed down by loggers. She hugs a tree, defying one of the men to cut it down, and discovers the other women and girls in her village doing the same. The illustrations show the women in traditional dress. It feels like a tale from long ago, but is based on a true story from the 1970's. One of the parts I liked best was learning about the many ways the women need the trees and depend on them for their survival. Good for Earth Day.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great version of the story of the Chipko or Chipka movement in India in the 1970s where women literally hugged trees in order to save them from being cut down. Their story of determination and connection to nature reminded me of the North American Natives.
Probably where the term tree hugger comes from. I dont see it in a negative light, sad that its used that way mostly.

[Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this book for Earth Day. It was wonderful to see how engaged the students were as they listened to this true story from India about how a group of women protected trees from being clear cut. These women convinced the landowners to be conscious about selectively cutting down trees on the land that they lived on.

[Reva Fun · Rating 5 out of 5]

my children love it
what an amazing approach to exploring different cultures and their needs for the natural resources in their area
the women of this small indian village rock!

[Brooke]

This was recommended to me today at the global education workshop I attended at the University of Pennsylvania. Looking forward to reading it.

[Armando · Rating 5 out of 5]

tells the story of a girl who stops the government of cutting trees by hugging the trees that give them food, shelter, and endless supplies. It is based on real events from India in the 70s.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me cry, so it gets 5 stars.

[Cyber Tron · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good

[Debra Golden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and to the point telling of how a group of women helped save trees and thus develop a more sustainable system.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute, but ending is too "pat"