What’s in Flora’s Shoebox?
What’s in Flora’s Shoebox?
She travelled all around the world,
Her dad right by her side,
Environmental scientists,
Their conscience was their guide.
Her knapsack packed with her supplies,
She headed out her door.
Announced in her excited voice,
“I’m ready to explore.”
...
All nature’s treasures that she’s seen,
Are left where they belong.
For taking them as souvenirs,
To Flora would be wrong.
Those trophies are not hers to take,
As proof of where she’s been.
She knows what she’s experienced,
As memories deep within.
A children's book that celebrates the beauty of the world, What's in Flora's Shoebox? inspires young readers to take care of the environment and explore the world responsibly. As Flora and her father embark on their adventures, the book teaches children about mindful travel which involves being aware of our actions and decisions. Throughout the story, readers are taken on an adventure across the world with Flora, visiting lush jungles and majestic mountains as well as icy fjords and deep oceans, all without leaving a trace. Along the way, Flora shows readers how to appreciate the beauty of nature and protect it for future generations. She takes care to compost food, reduce garbage, and plant trees wherever she goes, demonstrating that even small actions can make a big difference.
The book's rhyming prose is delightful and easy to read aloud, making it an ideal choice for parents and teachers to share with children. The words used in the book are beautiful and elegant, which also makes the book a great choice for independent readers to advance their vocabulary in the classroom and at home. The stunning artwork by Venus Angelica is equally captivating, with its warm and vibrant colors that bring the story to life. Children will be drawn to the charming illustrations of Flora and the creatures she encounters on her travels.
One of the book's strengths is its ability to address complex issues, such as climate change and sustainability, in a way that is accessible and engaging for young readers. Teaching children about climate change is essential for creating a sustainable future. By imparting knowledge about the issue, children can become informed citizens who are better equipped to make positive choices for the environment. However, conveying abstract concepts like climate change to children is not an easy task. To make the information more engaging and memorable, it's important to deliver it in a concrete and lively way that resonates with personal experience. Children's books are a great vehicle for achieving this goal. Through storytelling, colorful illustrations, and relatable characters, children's books can help children understand complex environmental concepts and inspire them to take action. By educating children about climate change through engaging and entertaining stories, we can cultivate a generation of environmentally conscious individuals who will be better prepared to tackle the challenges of the future. The story of What's in Flora's Shoebox? echoes well with the quote on the opening page by the English primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall:
You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make.
In conclusion, What's in Flora's Shoebox? is a must-read for any child who loves adventure and cares about the planet. Its timeless message of respect and care for the environment is more important now than ever before, and this book offers a gentle and positive way to inspire young readers to make a difference in the world.
Emma Chen is a Ph.D. Candidate with a research focus on transnational parent knowledge and heritage language education at the University of Saskatchewan.