Review: Stand as Tall as the Trees

“Stand as Tall as the Trees” is Paty’s story of growing up in the Ecuadorian rainforest where the Amazanga protect her people and the environment. She goes away to school and graduates from college, then is called back home to help her community when the government sells the land for oil exploration. She leads the charge and eventually the government is forced to return the land it attempted to steal and apologize.

I love that Patricia Gualinga’s story takes very complex issues (conservation, cultural preservation, human rights) and makes them understandable to young children. The story centers on the preservation of the natural world as a human right. The lush illustrations emphasize this point. I liked that there is information at the end of the story of conservation efforts by indigenous peoples from around the world. 

Classroom considerations: I like using picture books to help older students start thinking about complex issues in our world. “Stand as Tall as the Trees” will be an excellent addition to stories about the natural world and the rights of indigenous people.

Thanks to Netgalley and Charlesbridge for an advance reader copy in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are my own.