A picture book based on the work of Dr. Gordon Sato, a Japanese American cell biologist who made saltwater and desert land productive through the p...
read full description
reviews
Oct 03, 2011
Camille
rated it: 
First of all, I love this style of art: mixed media collage. Unfortunately, the detail included often makes the book hard to use for storytime. I prefer books with bright colors and clear illustrations for storytime, so the kids can see-a-long with what I'm reading. But believe me, the story is still worth trying out on the kids.
Secondly, this is a great story that can be read in a couple of different ways. There is the storybook sort of text that follows along the lines of the House More...
Secondly, this is a great story that can be read in a couple of different ways. There is the storybook sort of text that follows along the lines of the House More...
Aug 01, 2011
Tasha
rated it: 
This book tells the true story of Dr. Gordon Sato in picture book format. The village of Hargigo in the African country of Eritrea was dry and the animals could not find enough to eat. Dr. Sato had the idea of planting mangrove trees on the shore of the salty Red Sea. The trees can survive the salt and would give women in the village a way to earn money close to home from planting the trees. The trees also help by giving off oxygen too. The goats and sheep ate the leaves from the trees and
More...
Jul 08, 2011
Karen
rated it:
This book is amazing on so many levels. Read one way, it sounds like the story The House That Jack Built. Read a second way, adding in the text on the right hand sides, you learn about the mangrove tree and how it helped to feed families as the number of trees multiplied. Reading the Afterward at the end of the book, you learn about Dr. Gordon Sato, who himself was imprisoned in a Japanese concentration camp during WWII. Also included in the afterward are numerous pictures of people in Eritr
More...
Jan 23, 2012
Kelsey
rated it:
Ages: 5-10 years
Cumulative tale may be good for felt storytelling.
The land in Hargigo, Eritrea, Africa is dry and dusty. With little rainfall, the livestock do not have enough to eat, leaving little meat and milk for the citizens. Part biography, part environmental success story, Roth and Trumbore describe the scientific undertaking of Dr. Gordon H. Sato to save this little town in Africa with mangrove trees built for salty water. With fertilizer, the diligent hands of women vi More...
Cumulative tale may be good for felt storytelling.
The land in Hargigo, Eritrea, Africa is dry and dusty. With little rainfall, the livestock do not have enough to eat, leaving little meat and milk for the citizens. Part biography, part environmental success story, Roth and Trumbore describe the scientific undertaking of Dr. Gordon H. Sato to save this little town in Africa with mangrove trees built for salty water. With fertilizer, the diligent hands of women vi More...
Jun 09, 2011
June
rated it: 
A picture biography of Gordon Sato who spent his teen years in the Manzanar War Relocation Center in California, but went on to plant mangrove trees in Eritrea to try and erase hunger and poverty. His success in Eritrea has led to 2 more projects in Mauritania and Morocco.
The biography is told on 2 levels. There is a simple verse in a cumulative tale style similar to "This is the house that Jack Built," on one side and a more in depth story in prose on the other side. Ph More...
The biography is told on 2 levels. There is a simple verse in a cumulative tale style similar to "This is the house that Jack Built," on one side and a more in depth story in prose on the other side. Ph More...
Jan 18, 2012
Tpretz
rated it:
This is a book I will definitely be sharing with teachers at my school. The format of this book is unique because it is written as a narrative story on one side of the page and facts about the village that grew mangrove trees and facts about mangrove trees are opposite the narrative. A unique book that can be used as a mentor text during a nonfiction writing unit or a unit. The book has beautiful multimedia illustrations and at the end of the book there are photos and information about Dr. Sat
More...
Sep 27, 2011
Samantha
rated it:
I liked this book about planting mangrove trees in Eritrea. It has two narrative lines--a poem and prose text that explains further information. I liked the end pages which had photographs of Dr. Sato and also had references and where you could find current information about his work. I also really enjoyed the paper and fabric collage illustrations.
Jan 03, 2012
Laura
rated it:
Cumulative poem about people and parts of nature affected by mangrove tree growth + nonfiction text about Dr. Gordon Sato's mangrove planting project in Africa. A wonderful read aloud for students in grades 2 - 5, with modifications, about making a positive change for the environment.
Nov 19, 2011
Michelle
rated it:
Wanted to give this one a 4.5. A multi-layered, fascinating, picture book--full of interesting illustrations, alot of information, an inspirational story, and a catchy rhyming scheme (the house that jack built) for younger readers. Definitely worth a look.
Jan 04, 2012
Karen
rated it:
What a wonderful agricultural project! Dr. Sato's initiative of planting trees in a dry land is a hopeful way of making an environmental and economic/social impact. And I love that he named it for the camp he was held in as a Japanese-American during WWII. Way to turn a negative into a positive. Love to read about people using their talents to help others. Great job by Roth and Trumbore in bringing the story to a wide audience in this nonfiction picture book whose dual storylines (simple "
More...
Jun 14, 2011
Lindsay
rated it:
Nice book overall, but for some reason the illustrations for the text and pictures didn't always match up, and the easy and more detailed text didn't match up. This might be a little confusing for readers.
Aug 23, 2011
Ed
rated it:
The true story of the remarkable Dr. Gordon Sato, a scientist who enriches people's lives and the environment with mangrove trees. Delightful and inspiring!
Aug 03, 2011
Amanda Harris
rated it:
Very interesting story of Dr. Sato planting mangrove trees on the coast of Africa. Love the pictures and the poetic nature of the text paired with the facts!
Jan 03, 2012
The Styling Librarian
rated it:
Nice to have another inspiring story. Really enjoyed the illustrations as well.
Jun 17, 2011
Kate Hastings
rated it:
Grades 1-4. A scientist helped Eritreans plant mangrove trees along the red sea because they are the only trees that can grow in salt water. The trees helped to feed the people as their livestock were able to eat more greens and the mangroves attracted fish.
Feb 21, 2012
Feb 18, 2012
Feb 09, 2012
Jan 25, 2012
Jan 04, 2012
Jan 03, 2012
