One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia

Reviewed by: Christine Bulsa-O'Meara - Buxton Center Elementary School, Buxton, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: November 5, 2015

Review

CREAM As Isatou Ceesay, a young woman in Gambia, drops and breaks the basket of fruit she is carrying, she discovers an abandoned bag made plastic. At first these brightly colored bags seem convenient throughout the village, but as they break, they are discarded. As 1 becomes 2, then 10, then 100, their beauty turns into a growing pile of filth that attracts dirty water and mosquitos. When goats begin to eat the bags and die, Isato devises a clever plan to weave the plastic into purses. Soon she has many women joining her and not only do they find a way to make money but help the environment as well.

Warm tones of the sand and sun heighten the beautiful colors of the women's clothing. The process of washing the bags and turning them to weaving material is illustrated clearly. The story makes a remarkable statement about the power of one person.

Overall Book Score: excellent