The Forest Keeper-The True Story of Jadav Payeng - by Rina Singh

Book Synopsis

Trees don't grow on sandbars . . . but a boy from India grew a forest.

What can one person do in the face of global environmental degradation? Jadav Payeng is just a boy in northeast India when the mighty Brahmaputra River floods and sweeps away all vegetation from the river islands, leaving behind a barren sandbar. When the local elders refuse to take action Jadav decides to complete a seemingly impossible task himself. With only a bag of bamboo seeds and his unwavering determination, Jadav plants seedlings in an effort to restore the sandbar to a lush forest.

Since 1979, a forest the size of Central Park has emerged, offering a home to countless animals and plants. It wasn't until 2007 that a photographer accidentally stumbled upon the forest that Payeng and his passion became known to the world.

Rina Singh has sensitively retraced the story of young Jadav Payeng. In Ishita Jain's lush illustrations readers feel immersed in the spectacular habitat whose existence borders on a miracle come true. This encouraging read is perfect for those who are looking to make a difference in their own communities.

Review Quotes

"An inspiring true story of an environmental activist whose important work began in his teens and spanned a lifetime."-- "The Horn Book"

"Showing what one person with limited resources can do to restore the environment, the story celebrates Payeng's vision and determination. The richly colorful illustrations vary from an expressive overhead view of the forceful river to a smaller picture showing the precisely delineated leaves of various trees. An interesting picture book for conservation-minded kids."--Carolyn Phelan "Booklist"

"Singh inspires with this biography of Jadav Payeng."-- "Publishers Weekly"

"Vibrant illustrations place the emphasis on the beauty of nature."-- "Youth Services Book Review, starred review"

About the Author

Rina Singh is an award-winning children's book author whose storytelling reflects her deep curiosity about the world. Her books often draw on real-life stories of resilience, social justice, and the environment, inspiring young readers to dream big and act boldly. Translated into multiple languages, her books have received starred reviews in Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, and Booklist. Her books are included on the Bank Street and NYPL Best Books lists. Grandmother School won the Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize, while 111 Trees received the Social Justice Literature Award and was featured in the New York Times. She lives in a blue house in Toronto. Learn more at rinasingh.com or follow her on Instagram and Bluesky @storiesbysingh.

Ishita Jain an illustrator from Delhi, India. She is an alumnus of the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, India, and the MFA Illustration as Visual Essay at the School of Visual Arts, New York. Ishita loves to draw on location and enjoys documenting the people, places, and stories that surround her. Her work is inspired by day-to-day moments and the wonder that comes from being around nature. Ishita Jain is based in New York and her work can be seen at www.ishitajain.in and Instagram @ishitajain24.