The Big Green
Everyone Can Make a Difference
One hot day at the edge of the desert, Maryam and Issa know something exciting is going to happen. Mum and Dad bring spades, Uncle Cedric brings lots of plants and seedlings, the neighbours bring water. Everyone works together, digging, planting and watering – and the children all help too. Then they wait… and hope…
Set in Mali, this powerful story is about the creation of The Great Green Wall of Africa, an exciting real-life project to bring trees, growth and regeneration across sub-Saharan Africa.
Ken Wilson-Max was born in Zimbabwe and has a deep commitment to African regeneration. As author and illustrator he has over 70 books to his credit. He is a Patron of CLPE (Centre for Literacy in Primary Education) and of the Jericho Prize. He illustrated Valerie Bloom's Stars With Flaming Tails, winner of the 2021 CLiPPA Award, and has been nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Award and the Carnegie/Kate Greenaway Medal. For Otter-Barry Books he has written Astro Girl, Eco Girl and Aqua Boy. He lives in North London.
