I Am River
Children's book
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I am River is a children's book based on The Saint Lawrence River, gently highlighting its current environmental state and the need for care and compassion. This book is complemented by a workshop outline for children ages 4-10, featuring an interactive reading of I am River and activities designed to help children better engage with our message and ignite a curiosity for science.
Project Description
I am River is a children’s book that centres on the Saint Lawrence River as the narrator of its own story, allowing kids to engage with the river as a holistic entity. The river describes how it formed from glaciers long ago, journeys through its various eco-zones, introduces 51 plants and animals, and gently highlights its current environmental state. To complement our book, we have created an extensive set of activities, based on I am River, as part of a workshop outline for children ages 4-10. Our book and community action plan aim to establish a sense of kinship and responsibility between the river and the children living around it.
I am River aims to improve ocean health by laying a foundation of environmental empathy toward The Saint Lawrence River for future generations, who will one day be protecting it. The book includes 51 different plants and animals living in/around the river, as well as information on its various eco-zones – improving ocean literacy in young kids.
This project has been created in commemoration of the lives of all the victims of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, including two Ocean Bridge ambassadors, Danielle Moore and Micah Messent. We aspire to carry on their legacy and commitment to making the world a better place by creating long-lasting impacts with a firm commitment to driving positive change for the environment and our ocean. We will never forget the light that Danielle and Micah brought to the world and will continue to keep them in our hearts. To learn more about these two amazing people, please visit: Honouring Danielle and Micah – Ocean Wise. This work is partially funded by the Commemoration Fund for Victims of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 Tragedy.
What was your biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge that came with this project was coordinating with others’ busy schedules. Though it can be frustrating to have to wait to schedule meetings or for approval on project aspects, it’s important to be thankful for the responses you receive, as they still took the time to reply. Additionally, it helped to have greater flexibility in our schedules when situations allowed, others were grateful for this and tried to accommodate us better in the future.
What was your most valuable takeaway?
Though our book is geared toward young kids, many of the adults who have interacted with I am River have stated they have learned something new and begun looking at The Saint Lawrence River differently; It’s never too late to start empathizing with the environment.
