Fox Valley authors teaching kids to protect environment in new book
Without a single TV spot or a nationwide ad campaign, Linda Bartlett of Lake in the Hills and Wendy Marcec of Geneva have managed to come up with a fun way to learn about protecting the environment.
Their children's book, "Keby the Earth-Friendly Bear," teaches young readers how important it is to take care of our earth.
"You drive down the road and litter's blowing back," said Bartlett. "You go to Kentucky and (litter in) the mountains are blowing off. You can't get the tops of mountains back.
Marcec and Bartlett both agree that the story is one of the best ways for a child to learn about the world around him.
"It's a book that parents and children can read together," said Marcec. "It sets children off on the right foot throughout life."
The inspiration for the book came when Marcec and Bartlett, who founded the environmental organization A Lasting World, Inc., were working together at their camp in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky. Camp H.O.P.E., which stands for Helping Our Planet Earth, is an all expenses paid summer camp for underprivileged middle school students in the area.
"We found that the kids really aren't connected to nature," Marcec said. "They're just trying to survive. They go to school and come home and really don't do much else. They don't enjoy nature."
Once a stuffed bear named Keby started visiting the camp, though, the children were hooked.
"The kids loved him, and he became a mascot," said Bartlett. "Keby just seemed like the best thing to write about."
The authors spent a year working on their book, traveling the country and taking pictures of Keby in different natural settings rather than making illustrations to go with the story.
Once their book was finished, they accepted an offer from former Backstreet Boy and environmentalist Kevin Richardson to write the foreword. Richardson generously works with them on their environmental efforts, said Marcec. In fact, Richardson is Keby Bear's namesake.
"A kid called him 'Keby' instead of 'Kevy,' and that's how (the bear) got his name," said Marcec. "The bear has a striking resemblance to Kevin, and he approved it."
The book tells the tale of a young bear who lives happily in the Appalachian Mountains, enjoying and taking good care of the natural beauty around him. Soon enough, though, he finds out there are people who aren't protecting the earth the way Keby does. The bear embarks on a journey to find out what is happening to the world, and hopes that he can find a way to stop it.
Marcec and Bartlett hope the message of the book can provide a valuable lesson for people of all ages about what's happening to the earth and how to take care of what is still intact.
"Little kids who don't know what's going on in the world can have someone read (the book) to them," said Bartlett. "They'll come to realize that the parking lot they're standing in to go into the local mall used to be trees and flowers that aren't there anymore. You're taking away the beauty of the land."
Marcec and Bartlett hope to reach out to children of all ages with not only the pictures and story, but a glossary at the back to teach children the meaning of words often heard but not quite understood. Terms like "sustainability" and "global warming" are defined in a way that children can understand.
"It raises awareness in kids," said Marcec. "No matter how small they are, they can help the earth."
Marcec and Bartlett suggest that children take an active role in conservation efforts through small, easy steps. Shorter showers, recycling, and compost piles are all good places to start, explains Marcec.
Bartlett adds that it doesn't take a superhero to help save the planet.
"Not everybody can do everything," said Bartlett. "You just have to do your part."