1
of
1
The Big Green
Everyone Can Make a Difference
Brief Description
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, and the neighbours bring water. Everyone works together, digging, planting and watering, and the...
Read More
Format: Hardback
TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK
Please add to wishlist to be notified when back in stock
Sorry, we're currently out of stock of The Big Green. Please add to your Wishlist and we'll send you an email as soon as it's back in stock.
Latest News
The First Ever NZ Children's Book Week!
We are so excited to celebrate kids reading books with the first NZ Children's Book...
What Lizzy's Family Loved on a Long Weekend Away
We recently went on a family long weekend away to Ohakune, a new spot for...
Why We Still Love Pokémon
Pokémon has changed enormously since I was trading cards at school and playing it on...
Paw Patrol : The Dino Movie Toys Have Arrived!
The new Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie toys have arrived & are ready to ship!
New Releases to add to your TBR (11th August)
There's a new release for everyone this week - here's your TBR roundup! Lizzy shares...
See moreHow one family helps to bring hope and regeneration to their community in sub-Saharan Africa
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
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, and 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.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781915659651
Publisher: Otter-Barry Books
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 08 January 2026
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Otter-Barry Books
Illustration: Illustrations, color
Audience: Children
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 8.0mm
Width: 240.0mm
Height: 275.0mm
Weight: 430g
Pages: 32
About the Author
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.
Also by Ken Wilson-Max
View all-
African Stories: Once Upon a Lion
Inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa, find out why Lion roars! Once upon a time, Lion hardly made any sound at all. Until he bit off more than he could chew with a prickly porcupine and found his ROAR! A vibrant animal adventure perfect for curious little ones. Written by the award-winning Ken Wilson-Max and illustrated by the multi...PaperbackSold Out -
African Stories: Once Upon a Giraffe
Inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa, find out why Giraffe has a long neck. Once upon a time, Giraffe's neck was quite short. Until the hartebeests wouldn't share their lunch, so Giraffe had to STRETCH to reach the juiciest leaves! A vibrant animal adventure perfect for curious little ones. Written by the award-winning Ken Wilson-Max and illustrated by Tumi...PaperbackSold Out -
African Stories: Once Upon a Hippo
Inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa, find out why Hippo has no fur! Once upon a time, Hippo had lots and lots of hair. Until, one very hot day, a spark from the campfire catches the end of her hairy tail! A vibrant animal adventure perfect for curious little ones. Written by the award-winning Ken Wilson-Max and illustrated by...PaperbackSold Out -
African Stories: Once Upon a Zebra
Inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa, find out WHY Zebra has stripes! Once upon a time, Zebra was white all over. Until he went HEAD-TO-HEAD with a big, angry baboon and became the stripy zebra we know today! A vibrant animal adventure perfect for curious little ones. Written by the award-winning Ken Wilson-Max and illustrated by Toby Newsome. Also...PaperbackSold Out -
African Stories: Once Upon an Elephant
Inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa, find out why Elephant has a long trunk! Once upon a time, Elephant had a short stumpy nose. Until he had a tug-of-war with a hungry crocodile that lasted for hours and hours! A vibrant animal adventure perfect for curious little ones. Written by the award-winning Ken Wilson-Max and illustrated by Subi Bosa....PaperbackSold Out -
Aqua Boy
Following the international bestseller, Astro Girl and Eco Girl, comes an empowering story for young children about looking after the ocean and its wildlife. Island boy Aaron loves the sea, but he’s a bit scared of going under the water. Then one day, Aaron discovers an octopus stranded on the beach. As he helps his dad return it to the...HardbackSold Out -
Eco Girl
One little girl’s bond with the Baobab trees in her local forest shows how even young children can help to look after trees. “Can you love and care for your Baobab tree so it grows big and healthy like Dad’s tree?” asks Grandma. And Eve says, “YES, I CAN!” Eve loves all the trees in the forest near her home....HardbackSold Out -
African Stories: Once Upon a Buffalo
Inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa, find out why Buffalo has horns! Once upon a time, Buffalo didn't have big, curly horns! He had wild, fuzzy hair. Until the other animals got fed up with him charging at anything and everything and decided to teach him a lesson! A vibrant animal adventure perfect for curious little ones. Written by...PaperbackSold Out -
African Stories: Once Upon a Chameleon
Inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa, find out why Chameleon changes colour! Once upon a time, Chameleon didn't change colour. She was just another grey lizard in the bush. Until she had a close encounter with some dangerous animals! A vibrant animal adventure perfect for curious little ones. Written by Ken Wilson-Max and illustrated by the multi award-winning Zinelda...PaperbackSold Out -
African Stories: Once Upon a Hyena
Inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa, find out WHY Hyena laughs. Once upon a time, Hyena wasn't always full of laughter. Until she came across a row of animal bottoms at the watering hole and couldn't stop laughing! A vibrant animal adventure perfect for curious little ones. Written by Ken Wilson-Max and illustrated by the award-winning Toby Newsome. Also...PaperbackSold Out -
African Stories: Once Upon a Leopard
Inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa, find out why Leopard has spots! Once upon a time, Leopard didn't have a wonderfully spotty coat. Until he rescued a firebird from the flames and she left her sooty mark on his golden fur. A vibrant animal adventure perfect for curious little ones. Written by Ken Wilson-Max and illustrated by the multi...PaperbackSold Out -
African Stories: Once Upon a Rhino
Inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa, find out why Rhino has a horn! Once upon a time, Rhino didn't have a horn until his lies got out of control and his horn grew longer... and longer... and longer! A vibrant animal adventure perfect for curious little ones. Written by Ken Wilson-Max and illustrated by up-and-coming Tumi Steyn. Also available...PaperbackSold Out
More from Children's Books
View all-
New ReleaseCass and the Beast
A sweeping and original picture book about a girl who chooses not to be afraid, a modern-day heroine in a story we feel in our bones like an ancient folktale. When a fearful beast arrives in the township, Cass finds her courage and is rewarded with a wild and magical journey. The creature takes her on a thundering ride through...Hardback$2399Elsewhere:$2999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseThe Case of the Viral Video: Violet and the Velvets 3
Violet and the Velvets can hardly believe they've come so far in the BandChamps competition with only hard work, a smidge of talent, and a whole lot of thinking outside the box. This time, they get to record their new song in a proper recording studio and star in their very own music video! But Violet is letting her perfectionism...Paperback$1600Elsewhere:$1899Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseRoyalslinger
K Pop Demon Hunters fans will love this! Graci Kim is back with the second book in her exciting and fantastical Slinger series where dragons and phoenixes roam the skies of Seoul; meals magically appear based on your mood; and dreams literally come to life. Praise for Dreamslinger: “A mind-blowingly original fantasy adventure—Graci Kim has done it again!”—Rick Riordan, New York Times #1...Paperback$1999Elsewhere:$2400Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseDetective Beans and the Map of Mystery
Enjoy this new DETECTIVE BEANS adventure in the bestselling and award-winning graphic novel series by Li Chen! Your favourite kitten detective is back with a new mystery to solve . . . and treasure to find! When Captain Scuttlebeard gives Beans a treasure map, Beans is determined to find the prize at the end. The clues take him all over...Paperback$1900Elsewhere:$2200Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseMei Mei the Bunny
Mei Mei the Bunny is Laufey's picture book debut about a bunny learning to believe in herself through music. Experience a heartwarming tale of self-belief in this enchanting picture book by GRAMMY Award-winning musician Laufey. Meet Mei Mei, a little bunny with a big dream—to spread joy through her music! As her debut recital at the H'Opera House draws near,...Hardback$3199Elsewhere:$3800Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseHunted: Wolf Girl 15
Just when Wolf Girl is finally reunited with her father, he is torn away from her once more, and Gwen vows to stop at nothing to track him down. But danger is closing in: a giant snow leopard and a mysterious hooded figure are hot on their trail. As Gwen and the pack race through deep caverns to snowy peaks,...Paperback$1699Elsewhere:$1899Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseWhat If You Could
From the former prime minister of New Zealand comes a guide for teens on chasing your dreams and embracing the unexpected qualities that truly make a person strong. When Jacinda Ardern became prime minister of New Zealand, she was one of the youngest people in the world leading a country. Many people thought she would never succeed — herself included....Paperback$2599Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Lonasei and the Mystery of Origin Grove
Eleven-year-old Lonasei is lonely — she wishes her older sister Eva Grace wasn't so mean, and that her mum Aria didn't have to work so much. But when Aria inherits her childhood home, Lonasei discovers she can enter her late Aunt Malia's paintings and experience the memories within. Through them, she discovers that her mother had another sister, Agnes, who went...Paperback$2199Elsewhere:$2799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Dawn Raid: The Apology
This sequel to Dawn Raid follows Sofia Savea’s family, 50 years later, as Sofia's grandson becomes involved in the quest for a government apology. INVERCARGILL, 2020 Wow, I thought I knew a bit about the dawn raids, but this is HUGE. It happened to my OWN family and I never knew! I had no idea that Granfia and her family...Paperback$1800Elsewhere:$2099Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseBig Bang Bread
In this time-travel storybook and cookbook with a cosmic twist, take a journey through time and space to discover the secrets of baking! Did you know that bread is made from stardust? Board the rocket and blast off on an adventure through time and space to discover the secrets of a home-baked loaf! Big Bang Bread is a kids' time-travel...Paperback$1800Elsewhere:$2100Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseB is for Bird
From award-winning artist, Lily Emo, comes a beautiful celebration of birds. Paired with a fun rhyming story, gorgeous illustrations, and fold-out pages, this book is set to be a favourite for everyone and the perfect gift. Make your way through the alphabet with this stunning book featuring a cast of familiar birds. From albatross to fantails, gannets to quail, and...Hardback$1999Elsewhere:$2499Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Signed CopyThe Curse of the Carnivorous Cactuses
(Sam: Nothing could be as bad as being covered in icky purple blobs ... wait, what does carnivorous mean again?) The gang is determined to defeat Glam-Evil and her nasty curses so that they can save their park and get back for Shackleton and Amelia's very first sleepover. But Glam-Evil has a few new tricks up her ultravillainous sleeve ......Paperback$1400Elsewhere:$1499Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
