Activist-author Nandana Sen has collaborated with noted American illustrator Kris Di Giacomo for a book which is an ode to nature and aims at educating children about the ways in which each of them can take care of the planet.
"Earth Song" is a picture book in rhyme about a group of kids who discover, through play and argument, all the ways of environment protection.
"While it's critical to sensitise kids at a young age, and to encourage them to develop healthy and responsible habits, it's equally important to do so in a fun, playful, non-preachy way. That's the aim of 'Earth Song' for, as we all know, children will determine our planet's future," Nandana told PTI.
She says she had been thinking for a while about writing a book for children on the Sustainable Development Goals announced by the UN.
"When Nicolas Idier of the Institut Francais proposed that Kris and I work together and asked what a good topic might be, I wanted to write a book on protecting the environment," Nandana says.
She terms her collaboration with Kris as a great process of exploration and creative partnership.
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According to Kris, Nandana brought the environmental focus to the project and gave the working title "Earth Song" to the book.
"We want the book to give a voice to environmental concerns, raise awareness and empathy and generally be a kind of ode to nature. I believe children are open to taking on responsibilities and eager to do their part when given the right guidance. I hope the book will be a kind of reminder to pay attention to what's important," she says.
Nandana, daughter of Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, has starred in over 20 feature films including "Black" and "Rang Rasiya", and is the author of children's books such as "Kangaroo Kisses" and "Mambi and the Forest Fire".
Kris has been living in France since childhood. Art school and teaching young children English led her to publish her first children's books in 2006 with editions.
Since then she has illustrated over 30 books with authors such as Michael Escoffier and publishers in France and the US. Many of her books have been translated worldwide.