Evolution of the Eco-Warrior: Reflection on the IBBY UK Conference 2024 (Blog 1)

This year, I had the opportunity to attend IBBY’s conference on Evolution of the Eco-Warrior: Climate Change and Ways Children Connect with Nature. The event brought together a diverse group of authors, illustrators, educators, and environmental advocates, all united by a passion for storytelling and its potential to spark young minds into action. Being held in the beautifully curated, warm, and inviting CLPE (Centre for Literary in Primary Education) library I found that upon entry several guests and speakers were huddling around various bookshelves and discussing books they were a part of creating, have read to their children, or read themselves.

As someone who has not only dreamt of entering the publishing field, but has always portrayed a deep passion about the environmental crisis, I felt a renewed sense of purpose hearing different panels touch on bridging the gap between nature and narrative. The presentations touched on marking environmental challenges accessible for children, taking into account varied cultural, socioeconomic, and geographic backgrounds, each influencing children’s experiences with the world around them.

Listening to Nicola Davies discuss the representational framework within her books, I took moments to pause and think about how her book “Bat Loves the Night” still sits nestled in the childhood favourite’s section of my bookshelf back home. To meet Davies in person, speak with her personally, and hear her call-to-action was one of the many highlights of my time at this IBBY conference.  Often topics surrounding climate change can seem greater-than-life, scary, or even out-of-bounds; however, IBBY UK and its guests helped foster a space for optimism and growth mindset. The most important takeaway: change starts within your community. Talk to your neighbour, talk to your neighbours, participate in local legislation, make yourself available to mutual aid, stay cognizant and educated on issues which may, or may not, impact you but certainly impact the future.

Shared by Rachel Ryabogin