After reading a number of story books to our friends three year old, I realize it would be sweet to write children’s books. Specifically children’s books that teach about important global issues.
It would be great to write about the impact that using too much water or driving in a car too much has on our environment. What about a series addressing sweatshops and the importance of buying clothes that weren’t made by other little children?
Our children our currently being raised to become happy little consumers. Why not turn them into happy little activist?
Anyone know how to illustrate?
You know what? I think you have really hit on something here! I think children’s books that deal with social problems in a simple, straightforward way would actually sell. And I love your line about turning children into happy little activists. Now, if I only knew how to illustrate….
rather than begin by filling little minds with the negatives of a world gone bad
write books for children that describe and illutrate the ‘goal’ – a world where things work the way they should be – – – – all the worlds children having a happy childhood, schooling and properly filled bellys. A place where people take an active role in thier governmant and government listens.
an appendix can then talk about necessary ‘activist’ steps to getting here, reserved for the older child as their childhood books remain relevant to them in seeing a ‘standard’, then a ‘reality’ then a ‘process’ for change that they can be involved in.
Captiain Planet!!!
What ages are you thinking of? I think that the environmental stuff is pretty easy. The sweatshop one is a little harder, but do-able. The big challenge of this sort of thing is to wrap it up in a compelling story that doesn’t lose any of it’s characteristics as a good story in service of the moral.
I was definitly thinking of something geared toward the non-reading kid (5 or younger I think). I mean any age would do, but I got the idea because I’ve been reading these books to this little girl who just wants to hear neat pictures and listen to a story.
Little kids are like sponges soaking up anything you put there for them to consume. I want to take the opportunity to help them consume valuable things (as in values and morals, not physical products).