The Boy Who Grew a Forest: The True Story of Jadav Payeng

by Sophia Gholz, Kayla Harren (Illustrator)

As a boy, Jadav Payeng was distressed by the destruction deforestation and erosion was causing on his island home in India's Brahmaputra River. So he began planting trees. What began as a small thicket of bamboo, grew over the years into 1,300 acre forest filled with native plants and animals. The Boy Who Grew a Forest tells the inspiring true story of Payeng--and reminds us all of the difference a single person with a big idea can make.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, Nature, Childrens, Environment, India

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 15, 2019

About the author

Sophia Gholz is an award-winning children's book author, magic seeker and avid reader. Sophia enjoys writing fiction with humor and heart. When writing nonfiction, she pulls on her love of science and her family background in ecology. When she’s not writing, you can find Sophia reading a book, visiting schools or exploring the great outdoors with her family.

Sophia’s books have received many accolades, including: NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book, Florida State Book Award Gold Medal, South Carolina Book Award Shortlist, Kentucky Bluegrass Book Award Shortlist, Nile Delta Book Award, Eureka! Nonfiction Honor and the Green Earth Book Honor. For more about Sophia and her books, visit her online at:

Website: www.SophiaGholz.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiagholz
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sophiagholz
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDQw...
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/sophiagholza...




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Reviews

[Maede · Rating 4 out of 5]

این کتاب زیبا داستان واقعی «جاداو پاینگ» مرد هندیه که تک و تنها یک جنگل ۵۵۰ هکتاری رو درست کرده و به طبیعت زندگی دوباره بخشیده. اولین بار با این داستان در یکی از ریدینگ‌های کتاب هدوی آشنا شدم و وقتی این رو کتاب پیدا کردم، به خاطر تصاویر زیباش و روایت جذابش همراه با این درس سر کلاس بردم که داستان این مرد رو برای شاگردهام جذاب‌ترم کرد. اما بعد از مدتی استفاده‌های بیشتری براش در درس‌های دیگه پیدا کردم و حالا تا سطح پیشرفته هم برای درس دادن مفاهیم خاصی از این داستان به عنوان نمونه استفاده می‌کنم

اما هربار که کتابش رو سر کلاس می‌خونیم، انگار دل من گرم میشه و حیرت می‌کنم از اینکه یک انسان مصمم چطور می‌تونه دنیا رو تغییر بده. یاد جمله‌های جین گودال می‌افتم که در جواب اینکه آیا امیدی به آینده‌ی زمین و طبیعت هست یا نه می‌گفت که انسان هرکاری رو‌ بخواد می‌تونه انجام بده. طبیعت هم سرسخته و خودش رو درمان می‌کنه و این دو می‌تونن امید نهایی ما برای نجات از این مخمصه باشند

کتاب رو می‌تونید از اینجا دانلود کنید
Maede's Books

۱۴۰۳/۸/۲۵

[Mohammadreza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alone, he canoed down the muddy river.
He wished he could cover all the land with trees …

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اگر اشتباه نکنم هر چی کتاب کودک و نوجوان در سال ۲۰۲۵ خوندم و خواهم خوند از کانال تلگرام ایشونه
(Maede)
و با تشکر ازشون که کلی کتاب‌ جذاب رو اونجا جمع کردند.

کتاب‌‌ها رو می‌تونید از اینجا پیدا کنید
Maede's Books

[Elizabeth☮ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I often read books with my daughter that introduce me to people in history that I have never come across in my adult life.

This book is about a young boy, Jadav Payeng, that lives on a small island in northern India. As a young boy, he sees how the monsoon season affects his home. He finds snakes that are left stranded on sand bars and so decides to plant some trees.

He plants bamboo saplings. That's just the beginning. As Jadav grows up, he continues to harvest the forest. What develops is a lush 1,300 acre utopia for animals. Jadav protects the area also from poachers and others infringing on the land.

This hidden treasure wasn't discovered until a group of scientists were tracking a herd of elephants and came across it.

What a great way to teach young children that they truly can impact changes in nature and the environment.

[Riri · Rating 5 out of 5]

این دیگه خیلی قشنگ بود 😍
داستان واقعی جاداو پاینگ پسری که تک و تنها یک جنگل کاشت...

«۱۴ اردیبهشت ۴»

[Gayle Krause · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boy Who Grew a Forest is an environmental story from the past that could inspire the future. It also shows children that they aren’t too small to make a huge difference in the world they live in. Though it takes place on a small river island in India many years ago, it inspires children anywhere to take charge of their little bit of the world to make their small difference grow into a vastly important one, especially in these times when certain adults ignore the Earth’s pleas for help. Many aspects of this story are relatable to children today. Floods have ravaged certain areas of our country and Ghotz’s interpretation of Jadev’s story may inspire them to use their own ingenuity to save a small part of their own towns or cities. And Harren’s illustrations perfectly depict the softness and innocence of a child who grows into a determined man protecting his environment.

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, inspiring, a gem on the shelf. FOREST details the life of Jadav Payeng, a young boy who is distressed by the destruction and flooding he sees in his Indian village, and responds not just by being sad, but by getting to work planting. He doesn't rest until an entire forest has sprung up where once was just barren and eroded land!

I loved that this book demonstrated compassion for wildlife as well as people, and the stressed the fact that we all need nature to thrive. When problems arise between wildlife and the villagers, Payeng seeks humane solutions to resolve the conflict while allowing the animals to remain in their natural habitat. And there's a fantastic scene that shows Payeng halting poachers at the forest's edge, protecting the animals who live within.

FOREST will appeal to a wide audience and should find a home in both public and school libraries.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ein schönes Bilderbuch über die wahre Geschichte von Jadav Payeng, der in Indien alleine einen Wald angepflanzt hat. Die Illustrationen sind wunderschön und der Themenschwerpunkt motivierend und wichtig in unserer heutigen Zeit. Nur die Übersetzung war an ein paar Stellen etwas holprig.

Kann ich zum Vorlesen für Kinder ab 3 Jahren sehr empfehlen.

[Franci · Rating 5 out of 5]

#55 of 2021

Wow!! This is so inspiring!

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the story of Jadav Payeng and his lifelong work restoring the forest near his home. The art style mirrors the story closely with colors that match the central theme of trees and growth. As a picture book it doesn't go into substantial detail but does provide the broad strokes of the story and inspires children through the idea that one man can make a difference even if it took many years.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five stars for the beautiful artwork, but three for content. I feel like children will have several questions. First, there is no explanation of why Payeng was bringing dung/worms/ants/dirt, etc to his forest to "create a richer soil." As an adult I understand what he was doing, but how is a child supposed to know? And how did Payeng know this as a small boy? Second, I wanted some more factual information in the back matter. There are no photos of the real Payeng, and no resources for additional information about him. There's at least two documentaries that focus on the man, and the author must have learned about him from somewhere, so where are the sources/further reading?

The art is lovely and so is the message of the book, but as a nonfiction piece I didn't feel like it was complete.

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic!! An amazing & inspiring story about the big impact one person can make. And the illustrations are a delight.

[Natalee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an inspiring story of a young boy who saw a problem and took action. Throughout his life, he responds to the changing needs of the island, animals, and villagers by planting various kinds of trees and other plants. (The forest he planted is said to be more than 1,300 acres according to the biographical note at the end. ) Author Sophia Gholz tells the story exactly right, and Kayla Harren’s illustrations are gorgeous!

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a great deal of awful stuff happening in the world. With all the negative information we get about how we are destroying our planet, it is really nice to pick up a book that tells an uplifting story of how a single person can make a huge difference. I think this is exactly what my tender-hearted little Moongazer needed to read.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring story of a young boy who noticed a problem and started taking action. When there were unforeseen side effects, he helped counter them.

What he did took time. He's no longer a young boy at the end of the book. But he's made a huge difference.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One person can make a difference!

[sincerely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow wow! Perfection.

[Saba Shadman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was so inspiring. I was so touched by the story that I started thinking about growing a forest myself. I couldn't believe a teenager could do such a thing—to be so concerned and worried about what's going on around them, so selfless and caring. This story can help children learn that a small start, effort, and diligence can make a big change over time, and how human actions can affect the environment and wildlife.

[Margaret]

It's not as if you can wave a wand and have it happen magically. It takes time. It takes patience and persistence. Your associates in this endeavor are unpredictable but you need them. You must have sun, water, wind and the lives of countless animals, tiny and large, for the fruits of your labors and others to be seen.

One man, a single soul, with intention and a goal, changed the landscape of his environment, seed by seed, plant by plant. The Boy Who Grew A Forest: The True Story of Jadav Payeng (Sleeping Bear Press, March 15, 2019) written by Sophia Gholz with illustrations by Kayla Harren portrays the efforts of this man over decades. One person can make a difference. This person made a difference.


My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book biography is informative, hopeful, and radiantly illustrated. I would have appreciated more information in the backmatter, since I had logistical questions about some of the things that happened in the story, but I am very impressed with the book overall.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good book for a child who is trying to understand what an individual can do to help the planet by planting trees. I don't think I've ever read a better book for that purpose.

First of all the book is the true story of JADAV PAYENG. As a child, I was always more fascinated with stories that were true, especially if the story was about a child who made a difference.

The book explains why Jada valued the trees. It explained events that happened to cause him to be worried that there would not be enough trees for people to survive. He took this problem to the elders. The book explains their advice and the gift they gave to him to get him started on solving the problem.

Next the book, through words and pictures, does a remarkably good job of explaining how to nurture a tree as it grows. It explains watering, support, the daily tending they need. I really like this section.

Then it explains something that is not usually included in my experience in books of this subject. He became aware that he needed to improve the quality of the soil. The book explains the steps he took to improve the quality of the soil. That included populating the forest with Soil insect life. It also included adding plants other than trees. His goal was to create diversity in the plants and animals.

A bit of realism comes into play as the wildlife which are attracted to the forest interfere are frightened with humans. The book explains how he worked through that and what he had to do to keep the Forrest healthy.

Finally, there is a huge bonus at the back of the book: a brief note on Jadav's life followed by Materials List and Directions to plant trees and plants.

This book is a complete lesson in how one person can make a difference by planting and caring for trees and other flora and fauna.

I recommend this book.

Age: 5 - 8
Grade: K - 3
Schimelpfenig Library

There is a teachers guide and a study guide available at author's web site.
https://www.sophiagholz.com/the-boy-w...

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The star of this story is a young boy living in India, Jadav Paying, who combined careful observation with determination to make a difference. Even though the story began more than thirty years ago, the impact of hs efforts as a boy filled the first half of the book, only later following him through his adult life.
Young readers will be intrigued or appalled that his original inspiration came from the dying snakes on a barren mid-river island. What had once been a lush habitat was a dying strip of land, rapidly sinking into the surrounding river due to seasonal flooding and lack of trees to prevent erosion.
I was moved by his childhood awareness that trees contributed value to his village: shade, food, and shelter. It was this love of trees and instinctive understanding that all living things are connected that touched his heart.
With only twenty bamboo sprouts (which can grow in the most difficult circumstances), he began planting, nuturing, hauling water and nature soil enrichment. That means manure, biting ants, and other unappealing but effective supplements to the naked earth. His never-ending commitment stretched into adulthood as he identified and adjusted along the way to provide for and protect the expanding life forms on the island.
Eventually, his accomplishments were recognized and he is an admired hero in India. Even so, he continues to monitor, protect, and improve the island as his life's work.
When it comes to activism, global warming, and other issues of interest to young readers, this is a testament to the power of one person to make a difference.
Pair this one with I Am Farmer: Growing an Environmental Movement in Cameroon (Miranda Paul and Baptiste Paul) for a powerful pair of inspiring environmental kid-activists who discovered the work of a lifetime.

[Rabea Aylien · Rating 5 out of 5]

•Rezension•
Der Junge, der einen Wald pflanzte: Die wahre Geschichte von Jadav Payeng von Sophia Gholz

✨ ‎978-3982137995
✨ ab 4Jahren
✨ 32 Seiten
✨ erschienen am 1. Februar 2021
✨ 24.90€ (Gebundene Ausgabe)
✨ Zuckersüß Verlag

Beschreibung:

Was macht ein Kind, das vor seiner Haustür die Folgen der Zerstörung des Regenwalds beobachten kann? Der kleine Jada Payeng wird selbst aktiv! Er beschließt, etwas gegen Artensterben und Überschwemmungen zu tun. Auf seiner Flussinsel im indischen Brahmaputra pflanzt er ein paar Bambus-Setzlinge. Durch seine Pflege wachsen sie erst zu einem Gebüsch, dann zu einem Wäldchen heran. Bald geschieht ein Wunder: Die Natur kehrt zurück. Elefanten, Affen und Tiger streifen durch den Wald, den der Junge geschaffen hat.

Meine Meinung:
Dies war nun mein zweites Bilderbuch, welches ich aus dem Zuckersüß Verlag bestaunen durfte. Da es sich hierbei um eine wahre Geschichte handelt, ist die Message gleich noch bedeutender und ging mir sehr ans Herz. Die Illustrationen sind einzigartig gestaltet und die vielen Farben, welche nicht zu bunt waren, passten perfekt zu den Bildern mit Jada und dem Lebensraum der Tiere. Alles war so stimmungsvoll gezeichnet und die Liebe zum Detail wird schon beim wunderschönen Cover deutlich. Der dazugehörige Text hatte auf jeder Seite die perfekte Länge und begleitet das Abenteuer und die Gedanken von Jada sehr verständlich. Dadurch lässt es sich sehr angenehm vorlesen und durch die bildhafte Sprache konnten bereits Bilder im Kopf kreiert und die Fantasie angeregt werden. Die gesamte Geschichte wird unglaublich liebevoll und die Botschaft dahinter kindgerecht vermittelt. Auch interaktive Anregungen befinden sich am Ende des Buches, welche mir ebenfalls sehr gefielen.

5/5⭐️

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Boy Who Grew a Forest: The True Story of Jadav Payeng is a children's picture book written by Sophia Gholz and illustrated Kayla Harren. It is the true story of a young boy who built a forest from the ground up in northeastern India.

Jadav "Molai" Payeng is an environmental activist and forestry worker from Majuli, popularly known as the Forest Man of India. Over the course of several decades, he has planted and tended trees on a sandbar of the river Brahmaputra turning it into a forest reserve.

Gholz's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. The narrative provides a real-life example of the connections between humanity and nature through Jaday Payeng. Backmatter provides further information, a glossary, and tips on planting a forest. Harren's illustrations overall are detailed and engaging with beautiful imagery of the islands and the forest.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It begins with the erosive impact of seasonal floodwaters on Payeng island home, which propels him to take action. A group of elders give him 20 bamboo seedlings to plant. He plants them and waters them every day, devising various methods of irrigation, and over time, his hard work pays off and a forest grows.

All in all, The Boy Who Grew a Forest: The True Story of Jadav Payeng is an insightful story of environmental success.

[Kimberly Worth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophia Gholz’s “The Boy Who Grew a Forest” is the true story of Jadav “Molai” Payeng who as a young boy grew an entire forest on Majuli Island in India, now known as Molai forest. As a boy, he saw the beauty and importance of trees. Sadly, floodwaters were destroying many of the forests, leaving behind animals that died without the shelter, and he felt it was important to regrow them in order to protect the people and animals of the island. This book demonstrates the importance of nature, in this case forests, and how we as people can make a difference in preserving it and the creatures that live within it. It also creates a new idea of childhood innocence different from those historically held. Although the 18th century flipped the script and instead of seeing children as deprived “adults-in-the-making”, people began to see them as something “other”, authentic, and to be protected from reality, according to an article by Marah Gubar on “Innocence”. Sadly back then, children of darker ethnicities were even seen as a kind of ‘lesser’ innocent, too naïve to understand what was going on around them. However, we see the exact opposite of both views as this boy sees the tragedy of the dead snakes on the shore – he sees the hard reality of what is happening - and decides to take charge and make a real difference which is so inspiring for young readers.

[Arimi Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a society we are slowly losing our connection to nature, and I think in order to reconnect with nature, we need to teach ourselves, and the future generations about the wonders of nature. This is an absolutely brilliant book for teaching ourselves and the younger ones about the joys of nature, and the challenges of life. This book doesn't just handle the human connection, but also the way that animals suffer and how we as humans, could help make change to build a brighter future.

The book is light hearted, with absolutely stunning artwork. It is a book filled with empathy, and a lesson in the importance of we can make a change, but we have to act. Something many people seem to have forgotten.

This is an absolutely delightful tale, with a lesson on the importance of hard work and commitment. If you don't learn, or work - how can something grow. I think this is a lesson which many of the newer generations never picked up on. You're never too old to learn something new. An easy 5 star. More children need to know the importance of hard work and the joys of reaping what you sow.

There is an animated version on VooksStoryBooks for anyone who would like to experience this book but might not be able to afford it. If you can- please buy the book to support the author.

One boys hard work, and how it has changed an entire world for many.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophia Gholz tells that on one island home, Jadav Payeng was upset when he saw snakes who had died because their habitat was destroyed. He spoke with relatives who, according to this story, gave him a way to start, twenty bamboo shoots. He began, he devised a way to keep them watered, and they grew. That was not the end. He did not give up when more water was needed. He realized that the land needed feeding and he carried "cow dung, earthworms, termites, and angry red ants that bit him on his journey to their new home." It made a difference to nurture the land. More seeds were planted and more grew.
Over the years his few bamboo plants grew into a 1300 acre forest, an inspiring story of what one person can accomplish, one step, one seed, and later, animals, one at a time. Gorgeous paintings by Kayla Harren help tell Jadav's story, from youth to adulthood, from barren land to lush forest.
The back matter shares that it wasn't until 2008 that the forest was discovered by a group of local authorities tracking elephants. Since then, he's been recognized worldwide. Added is an author's note and directions "To Plant A Forest of Your Own."

[Rachel Funez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debut author, Sophia Gholz, teamed up with experienced illustrator, Kayla Harren, to create this inspiring true story about the powerful impact one person can have when they pair passion with action and persistence in the face of difficulties.

Jadav Payeng’s story is truly remarkable. As a young boy, he was saddened and worried by the loss of trees and the erosion of his Indian island home. So he did something about it. Starting with just 20 bamboo saplings, Jadav grew an entire forest that became home to a biodiverse range of insects, birds, and animals.

This story is both educational and inspiring, and the illustrations are beautiful. It promotes conservation and ecology without being preachy. And it includes back matter with more information about Jadav Payeng and his forest, along with instructions for planting seeds, so children can enjoy watching their own forests grow.

*Thank you, Sleeping Bear Press, for providing me with a free PDF copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*

[Christina Getrost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book for budding environmentalists! A picture book biography of Jadav Payeng, of India, who saw as a boy how snakes and other wildlife were dying from flooding and other problems as the trees were overharvested and habitat was stripped away. He began by planting bamboo shoots given to him by the village elders, carefully tending them, carting water in jugs to irrigate them, and gradually bringing in seeds from plants in other places as the years went by, until he had cultivated a whole forest! He added plants that were specific to certain animals, whether it was to help elephants or to provide for the small animals that became food for tigers and therefore kept the tigers out of the village. He protected the forest from poachers, and eventually it became a nature preserve. I LOVE the art in this book! Gorgeous photo-realistic paintings.

[Zoraida Rivera Morales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gholz offers a lyrical picture book with beautiful illustrations by Kayla Harren that transport us to this village in India where Jadav's island home is being destroyed by deforestation and erosion. He sets to work with what he has, not knowing if his actions will matter, but determined. His work and dedication pays off and slowly what was barren becomes a forest.

This is a story of hope and the power of believing in our capacity to create change in the world. In a time where global leaders are alerting about the effects of global warming, this book shares an important message that needs to be shared. May it be a call to action that each of us can do our bit to keep our Earth Home healthy.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jadav Payeng, from northern India, noticed the damage to his environment caused by flooding. As a child, he grieved for the creatures killed by the floods. He decided to provide a new home for the animals. He started with a few bamboo saplings planted on a sandbar. Over the next years he planted more trees, watered them, and amended the soil to help them grow. Eventually a large and productive forest was established.
This interesting story is true. It is also inspirational. The beautifully illustrated picture book is appropriate for middle to upper elementary students.
Tie-in:
Earth Day, conservation
ELA: narrative non-fiction
Science: plant life, balance of nature, habitats, composting.