A fictionalized picture story, told from the point of view of young Aani, recounts the origins of the Chipko Andolan (Hug the Tree) Movement in northern India in the 1970s. When men from the city came into rural areas to cut down the trees, women villagers successfully stopped them by embracing individual trees. Indian artist Venantius J. Pinto explains in a note at the end how and why his pictures for this book were influenced by five different styles of traditional miniature painting that were used in northern India in the 17th century. (Ages 4-9)

A village girl in India inspires the women around her to save their beloved forest.

One day Aani is resting against her favorite tree when she hears the unfamiliar roar of trucks. She alerts the village women, the eldest of whom says the sounds are made by men from the city who have come to cut down the trees. The women explain to the cutters that their trees provide the villagers with food and fuel; are home to animals; and prevent erosion. But the men are heedless. As the cutters move closer, Aani acts with quiet, instinctive heroism to save not only her special tree, but also the village's beloved forest.

Based on a true event in northern India, Aani and the Tree Huggers presents an enduring message of environmental action. In their picture book debuts, author Jeannine Atkins and artist Venantius J. Pinto introduce a memorable heroine whose love of the earth is sure to be an inspiration to children everywhere.