Meet Lanier Phillips, a shipwreck survivor whose life was forever changed by the kindness of his rescuers.

Meet a self-taught engineer who loved building things as a child. His inventions included making a rocket from scratch, a robot, a sound system and later one of the top selling toys in the world -- a water gun.

A brief introduction to the environmentalist Wangari Maathai, starting with her love of trees.

Learn about the 44th president of the United States starting with his birth in Hawaii.

Growing up Barack didn't like seeing others mistreated. This board book beautifully illustrates what inspired him to go into politics. Not yet available at the Boston Public Library.

Meet the Mother of Trees (Mama Miti). This wise woman knew the power of peace with nature. She grew up loving and respecting trees. When women from all over Kenya brought their problems to her -- she reminded them of their own strength (in their hands and arms) -- and encouraged them to plant trees.

35 incredible well-known and not so well known women who dreamt big.