Christiana Figueres, Friend of the Rainforest - Margarita Engle;Nazareth Hidalgo Lobo

Get ready to be inspired by this biography of one-of-a-kind diplomat and activist, Christiana Figueres, whose fight to protect our planet isn't over yet.

Raised in the mountains of Costa Rica surrounded by lush rainforests and vibrant wildlife, Christiana always had a deep love for the natural world. From the shimmering quetzal birds to gleaming golden toads, the biodiversity of Costa Rica was truly a sight to behold. However, with deforestation on the rise and increasing pollution, the dazzling species that defined the rainforest began gradually going extinct as Christiana grew up. Thus began Christiana's journey to becoming a diplomat and eventually one of the most influential voices in the realm of environmental activism on a mission to save the planet from losing any more precious species of wildlife.

Christiana Figueres, Friend of the Rainforest is a story of perseverance sure to inspire readers from all over to take a stance in protecting our special planet.

Margarita Engle is the Cuban-American author of many verse novels, memoirs, and picture books, including The Surrender Tree, All the Way to Havana, Bravo!, Drum Dream Girl, and Dancing Hands. Awards include a Newbery Honor, Pura Belpré Medals, Golden Kite Award, Walter Honor, Jane Addams Award, PEN U.S.A., and NSK Neustadt Prize, among others. Margarita served as the national 2017-2019 Young People’s Poet Laureate. Margarita was born in Los Angeles, but developed a deep attachment to her mother’s homeland during childhood summers with relatives on the island. She studied agronomy and botany along with creative writing, and now lives in central California.


Nazareth Hidalgo Lobo is an illustrator and designer from Costa Rica. As a kid, she loved drawing and expressing herself creatively every chance she got. So it's no wonder that as an adult, she continues to express herself through her children's book illustrations. Naza enjoys exploring the nature and beauty of Costa Rica, where she often finds herself inspired by its magic and wonder. Her illustrations are vivid, colorful, and full of the joy found when kids are at play.

"Engle’s descriptive writing portrays the rainforest of the activist’s childhood as a “wild green forest, where she saw shimmering quetzal birds, [and] rainbow-hued toucans.” The illustrations of the environment are colorful and detailed. . .This inspiring story of Christina Figueres should appeal to young environmentalists and civic-minded kids and belongs on the climate change shelves." -School Library Journal

"Echoing Figueres’ own hopeful outlook, this engaging, informative biography offers a powerful example of how one person can make a difference in the world. Utilizing colored pencils and coloring markers, Costa Rican illustrator Lobo creates lush landscapes rich with texture." -Booklist