I have some news. Ella and the Amazing Frog Orchestra has won the Environment Award for Children’s Literature (Fiction)!
The Environment Award is very close to my heart. It was established by The Wilderness Society more than 30 years ago to honour children’s books that promote caring for nature and the environment. In 2022 the Karajia Award was added to honour First Nations creators of books that celebrate connection to Country, language and community. Each year a panel of judges – scientists, librarians, childhood educators and Playschool presenters(!) – choose winners in the Fiction, Non Fiction and Picture Fiction categories. This year’s winners were announced in a ceremony at Harry Hartog’s Mosman store on Love Your Bookshop Day (October 11) and Ella’s co-creator – the brilliant Hykie Breeze, whose illustrations brought Ella’s world to life – was there to join in the fun.
What an honour! Falling in love with nature happened early for me, as it does for most kids, and so many of my books (published and soon-to-be) are love letters to the wonders of nature and its right to exist for its own sake. I’ve been a fan of the Wilderness Society and their advocacy since I was a primary schooler in the 90s with a diary covered in dolphin stickers, and this award does a wonderful job of shining a light on children’s books that explore, explain and celebrate nature, and maybe even inspire kids on their way to being future changemakers.
Huge thanks to the Wilderness Society for for everything you do, and big love to our publisher UWAP as well. You can view the full list of winners and shortlisted books here, and discover bucketloads of inspiration for all the future scientists and conservationists in your life.
Earlier this month we lost Jane Goodall – a gentle soul and fierce activist who left behind a powerful legacy. As well as her groundbreaking research, Jane spread a message of hope that change is still possible:
‘Even today, when the planet is dark, there still is hope. Don’t lose hope. If you lose hope, you become apathetic and do nothing. And if you want to save what is still beautiful in this world – if you want to save the planet for the future generations, your grandchildren, their grandchildren – then think about the actions you take each day.’
For days after Jane’s death my social media briefly became a brighter place, flooded with her wise, funny, gentle and powerful wisdom. Two clips I hadn’t seen before, that stayed with me, were a story she shared about how her mother’s encouragement of her love of animals from an early age (even when it meant worms in the bedroom) set the course for her life and career, and the advice she gave to a nine-year-old audience member who wanted to be a biologist – start now, you don’t have to wait for a degree.
Being a scientist, falling in love with nature, and saving the world all starts with curiosity. And the more opportunities we create for kids to connect with and care for nature from an early age, without taking over and talking down to them, the better off we will all be.
The announcement of the Environment and Karajia Awards also marked the start of Nature Book Week, which runs from October 11-19. There are Nature Book Week events happening around Australia (find one near you). If you’re in Melbourne, I’ll be celebrating on Sunday 19 October with an event at Elsternwick Library filled with frog facts and craft (including origami frogs and chatterboxes). If you’re game, we might even have a go at creating our own frog orchestra. Event details here. I would love to see you there!
Until then, go fall in love with nature…
Cassy
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