Cutting Through The Noise

In a world where we’re surrounded by social media, documentaries, and news reports about our #decliningwildlife and #habitatloss, it’s easy for our messages to become ‘watered down’ or simply ignored.

So, how do we cut through the noise, and reach the public?

For many months I asked myself this question. The answer, I found… with #childrenspicturebooks.

But I don’t just write and illustrate for wildlife; I actually tell their stories.

Every animal I write about is meticulously researched, and their story very carefully crafted for the youngest of audience; it’s a tricky balance when you’re talking about wildlife that’s impacted by human activities which often result in injury or death! In extreme cases it may not be possible to tell their story quite how I would like.

But why target the young, you may ask, when there’s such a narrow window to engage little ones?

There’s method in my madness…

Children LEARN through picture books. They’re a doorway into the complex world of language and emotions, helping children to understand the world around them. Picture books allow children to imagine, and can help them develop empathy, creativity, and problem solving skills, as well as strengthen family relationships.

Picture books can become timeless favourites, read again and again, handed down to siblings and friends, generation to generation, with favourite characters remembered for life.

The critically endangered Hawkesbill Turtle features in the children’s picture book I am currently illustrating. For updates on my progress of ‘Albatross and the Rubbish’, please follow my social media or visit my Children’s Picture Books web page.

I also reach 3-for-1… By incorporating a useful educational section at the end of every animal’s story, I reach not only our next generation of budding conservationists, but their parents and grandparents too!

And guess what, a well curated picture book can also be great fun for grown-ups too!