Evolution of the Eco-Warrior: Reflection on the IBBY UK Conference 2024 (Blog 2)

On Saturday 9th November 2024, I volunteered for IBBY UK at their 2024 Conference “Evolution of the Eco-Warrior: Climate Change and Ways Children Connect with Nature”. A series of inspiring talks and conversations where the common thread was storytelling as a way to connect children (and adults) with the natural world and the importance of taking action.

The conference opened with a historical exploration of Eco-Activism in children’s literature by Lisa Sainsbury. This was followed by Nicola Davies talking about her experience making children nature books and a panel chaired by Ken Wilson-Max during which Louise Ang, Nicola Davies, Lucy Mercer, and Sophie Hallam discussed sustainability within the publishing cycle.

After a convivial lunch break, Mark Carter talked about British ABC books and Huw Lewis-Jones spoke about his work in schools and his expeditions to Antarctica. Next, a panel chaired by Ann Lazim with Sita Brahmachari, Neal Layton and Anthea Simmons focused on radical hope and the urgency of taking action. Emma Reynolds closed the event with a powerful talk on books and activism and a warm encouragement to everyone to think and implement some practical climate actions.

By the end of the conference, there was no doubt amongst the attendees on the power of children’s literature as a tool to start conversations and engagement: by reading, both children and parents’ curiosity for the natural world is sparked and books become vessels of important messages about the wonders of nature as well as a call for action to protect it.

In a time when kids are worried about the future of the planet (Save The Children Annual Report 2022: “in the UK, 70% of the children spoken to are worried about the world they will inherit”), the IBBY UK 2024 Conference brought attention to a very relevant topic, highlighting how children’s literature is at the heart of shaping new (and older) generations of eco-warriors.