One Plastic Bag
Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of Gambia

One Plastic Bag

"One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia" is an inspiring children's book that tells the true story of Isatou Ceesay, a Gambian woman who initiated a recycling movement to combat plastic pollution in her community.

The book, written by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, recounts how Isatou Ceesay noticed the growing problem of plastic bag waste in her village of Njau, Gambia. These discarded bags were not only unsightly but also caused serious environmental and health issues. They provided breeding grounds for mosquitoes, killed livestock when ingested, and polluted the environment.

Isatou's innovative solution was to collect the plastic bags and recycle them into something new. She and other women in her community began crocheting the plastic into purses, which they then sold at the market. This initiative not only helped clean up the environment but also provided a source of income for women in the community who were struggling financially.

The book's illustrations beautifully depict the Gambian setting and the transformation of the plastic bags from waste to valuable products. It effectively conveys the message that one person's determination and creativity can lead to significant positive change in a community.

"One Plastic Bag" has received critical acclaim and won several awards, including the Eureka! Honor Award for nonfiction from the California State Reading Association. It's widely used in classrooms to teach children about environmental issues, recycling, and the power of individual action.

The book has also inspired real-world action. In 2023, a tour was organized in Gambia to celebrate 25 years of recycling efforts, featuring events with the author Miranda Paul and Isatou Ceesay herself. This tour included school visits, public events, and recycling demonstrations, further spreading the message of environmental responsibility and community empowerment.

Overall, "One Plastic Bag" serves as both an educational tool and an inspirational story, showing how one person's initiative can grow into a movement that benefits both the environment and the community.

Author: Miranda Paul

Miranda is the award-winning children's author of One Plastic Bag, Water is Water, Whose Hands Are These? and Nine Months, a 2019 Boston Globe Horn Book Honor for Nonfiction. Miranda presents often at schools and libraries. One of her bravest moments involved reciting poetry inside a crocodile pit.

Illustrator: Elizabeth Zunon

Elizabeth grew up in a hot, sunny, tropical country in West Africa called the Ivory Coast, where people speak French (and many other languages). Since her mother is American, she wanted to make sure that Elizabeth and her little brother could speak both French and English, so she read them a lot of bedtime stories in English after they came home from speaking French all day at school. As a little girl, Elizabeth loved to draw, paint, make up dances and play dress-up, and as she grew up, she didn't really change!

Book Details:

  • Format: Paperback
  • Print length: 32 pages
  • Dimensions: 27.31 x 0.94 x 23.19 cm
  • Reading age: 6-11 years old
  • Publication date: February 2015
  • ISBN: 9781467716086

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How can I use "One Plastic Bag" in a "Properties of Materials" topic lesson?

Author: Miranda Paul

Using One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of Gambia in a lesson on the properties of materials can effectively blend environmental education with scientific inquiry. Begin the lesson by reading the book aloud to introduce Isatou Ceesay's story and highlight the issue of plastic waste in her community. This sets the stage for discussing how she creatively transformed plastic bags into purses, emphasizing the importance of recycling. Following the reading, engage students in a discussion about the challenges Isatou faced and how she addressed them, prompting questions such as what materials she used and the impact of her actions.

Next, transition into an exploration phase where students can investigate various materials. Divide them into small groups and provide samples of plastic, paper, and aluminum foil. Guide them through a series of tests to determine the properties of each material, including flexibility (fold test), strength (tear test), sound and texture (crinkle test), and elasticity (stretch test). Encourage students to record their observations on activity sheets, emphasizing that all materials should be tested uniformly for fair comparisons.

After conducting their tests, connect back to Isatou's story by brainstorming ways students could upcycle materials found at home or in school. This can lead to a creative project where they make simple items from plastic bags, such as jump ropes or small bags, using instructions inspired by One Plastic Bag.

To conclude the lesson, facilitate a reflection session where students can share their insights on how understanding material properties can influence better choices regarding recycling and upcycling. As a follow-up project, encourage students to create infographics that promote responsible consumption and recycling based on their learning experiences. By integrating scientific exploration with storytelling and creative activities, students will not only gain a deeper understanding of material properties but also appreciate the significance of environmental stewardship exemplified by Isatou Ceesay and her community efforts in The Gambia.

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