In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

  • Building Environmental Literacy Through Picture Books
  • Andrea Szilagyi (bio)
Keywords

children’s literature, climate change, ecopedagogy, West Coast, wildlife, ecocriticism

Gay, Marie-Louise. The Three Brothers. Groundwood Books, 2020. $19.95 CAD, pb, ISBN 9781773063775.
Hilgemann, Judy. The Great Grizzlies Go Home. Harbour Publishing, 2020. $23.95 CAD, pb, ISBN 9781550179071.
Hodge, Deborah. West Coast Wild Babies. Groundwood Books, 2020. $19.95 CAD, pb, ISBN 9781773062488. West Coast Wild series.

In “Children’s Environmental Literature: From Ecocriticism to Ecopedagogy,” Greta Gaard posed the question: “When we read, study, and teach children’s environmental literature, what effect do we want it to have on our children?” (332). This question guides my consideration of three Canadian picture books: West Coast Wild Babies by Deborah Hodge, illustrated by Karen Ruczuh; The Great Grizzlies Go Home by Judy Hilgemann, and The Three Brothers by Marie-Louise Gay. Gaard’s question also prompts discussion of how high-quality, engaging children’s literature teaches young readers about the importance of environmental conservation while fostering their connection with nature and broadening their eco-literacy.

Hodge’s second picture book in the West Coast Wild series, West Coast Wild Babies, accomplishes all three goals. The first book of this series, West Coast Wild, won the Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award in 2016. This prestigious award, as described by the Vancouver Children’s Literature Roundtable, is “given annually to a book that arouses interest, stimulates curiosity, captures the imagination, and fosters concern for the world around us” (“Information Book Awards”). West Coast Wild Babies is similar in its aesthetic and features a beautifully illustrated story, further reading, illustrations, informational notes, and the author’s note.

West Coast Wild Babies is set in the Pacific Rim and features fourteen wild baby animals. The dust jacket sets up that “[i]t’s spring on the Pacific west coast and new life is stirring! Wild babies are being born—in the ocean, on the shore and deep inside the ancient rainforest. Meet the wolf pups, bear cubs, whale calves, eaglets and salmon fry that begin their lives in the pristine wilderness of this magnificent place.” Each spread is beautifully illustrated by Karen Reczuch to create a feeling of connection between the wild babies and their parents. The full-page illustrations are detailed and realistic, drawing readers into the warm [End Page 238] scenes. In a gentle, informative, and inviting manner, West Coast Wild Babies provides a glimpse of this particular geographic area.

The book is well organized with clear curricular ties. The House of Anansi website notes that this book “correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts” (“West Coast”) and offers a free teacher’s guide, which makes connections between this text and language arts, science, geography, fine arts, and physical education. A book designed for four- to seven-year-old children, West Coast Wild Babies uses headings to name each baby animal, while short descriptions provide information about where the babies are born, their typical behaviour, and a note about the parent(s):

Northern Pacific Treefrog Young

A mother frog lays her eggs in a wetland. After three weeks, tadpoles with long tails hatch and start to swim. Their arms and legs grow, then their trails shrink. Soon the little froglets leave the water to make their home among the forest plants.

Despite the different species of wild babies being born in different places, they all share the awe-inspiring beauty of a West Coast home “that conservationists are working hard to preserve.” The final call to action invites young readers to think critically about climate change and wildlife conservation: “Whatever their species, and wherever they are born, these baby animals share a magnificent coastal home—a rare and special wilderness to preserve and protect.” This picture book fosters a connection to nature and teaches children about the need to respect and care for it.

The Great Grizzlies Go Home, written and illustrated by Judy Hilgemann, is a picture book for children ages three to five. Michael Audain, Canadian philanthropist, protector of grizzly bears, and founder of the Grizzly Bear Foundation, notes that Hilgemann presents a “beautiful story that tells of the challenges...

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