When a child draws a picture of the ocean, it might include all the things you’d typically find at the beach or in the sea: schools of fish, lots of seashells, and a sandcastle or two on the beach, for instance. What you won’t see are the many floating mounds of litter and debris that float under the sea’s and ocean’s surfaces. As adults we are aware of the pollution in our oceans, but at a young age, our children for the most part are innocently unaware of all the mess that doesn’t belong in our beautiful oceans but is there anyway. Teaching children that they have a part to play in preserving our planet, including our seas and oceans, begins during childhood, and there’s no easier way to teach this than through the magic of books.
It’s Never Too Early for Teaching Planet Stewardship
Teaching responsibility for our planets often happens naturally throughout childhood, both inside and outside the classroom. Children are naturally curious and inherently helpful creatures. They want to engage with the world around them, soaking up information from any direction it comes. And since children often learn by experience, it’s up to the grown-ups in their life to help them make sense of what they’re seeing, doing, and learning. Without this guidance, things like an overload of plastic in the ocean can start to feel normal.
Children are perceptive creatures and take notice of the things around them. They notice when you walk the extra few steps to a trash can instead of leaving your snack wrappers, water bottles, or plastic forks in the sand. Because children learn by what they see and not the words they hear, it’s important for the grown-ups around them to set the right examples and expectations. For this reason a wonderful way to teach our children how to be minded and caring adults, is to read them books, written in age appropriate language, to help get the message across.
An Ocean of Change – One’s boys mission to save our oceans and seas
An Ocean of Change aims to help children understand the shocking reality of what a day at the beach really looks like for millions of people around the world and illustrates the power that each of us have to change the future.
Our story follows Liam, a young boy who considers the beach his second home. One day, while playing in his favorite place, he’s gently nudged by a peculiar fish — that turns out to be a plastic bag.
This wasn’t the first time Liam found trash at the beach. But this time, enough was enough. He was determined to find out who the bag had belonged to and teach them why just one piece of trash in the water is one piece too many.
Liam’s curiosity, bravery, and passion for the planet take readers, both young and old on a heartfelt journey of change. Coupled with beautiful illustrations, Liam teaches us all that no one is too small or insignificant to make a difference in the world. And what’s more, he reminds us we all have the power to influence others to do the same.
An Ocean of Change allows parents and teachers to ignite conversations around the dismal state of our environment. It’s an age-appropriate dose of reality for young minds, written in a way that children can relate to, and more importantly, learn from. And perhaps most importantly maybe be inspired by to make a difference.
Remember, any type of change, great or small, starts with action. And action starts with understanding. When you can teach your children the value of planet stewardship, not even an ocean of problems can slow their spirit.
You can find An Ocean of Change, available for purchase on Amazon.com.
