C1 Storytelling and sustainability
As if overnight, children’s picture books have suddenly become more adult and grown-up, introducing elementary-level kids to complex subjects like environmental protection and sustainability. At the same time, the economical language, the fun and humor in the approach, and the catchy illustrations make their young minds understand the issues at their pace. Over time, as the topics become clearer, and they themselves cross over into puberty and adolescence, the children might naturally become part of the solution — even if, for a start, it just means picking up the trash.
“You give the child agency. You give them information and guidance. They sort their values and at the end of the day, they solve their problems,” says Dazzle Ng, a freelance writer whose hardcover children’s picture book, “When an Elephant Hears ‘No,’” was released by US publishing house Page Street this year.
Online research indicates that Ng is apparently the first Philippine-based author, whose work was bought and published by a US-based publisher in this genre.
Sensitivity to current market trends helped her reach this milestone. For example, a generation ago, it was the adults in the stories who played superheroes who saved the kids. But for the emerging Generation Z and Alpha readership, that approach “is not going to fly” anymore, says Ng.
One probable reason is that the children of today do want to get involved in making their world a better one. Ng says that her two children learned important concepts like ecology, recycling and environmental stewardship as early as pre-school.
The education did not remain on a cognitive level. Her 6-yearold son sees trash as potential material for making his artwork. Her 8-year-old daughter has made posters about recycling — and calls the attention of her younger sibling if his long baths unnecessarily consume huge amounts of water.
Ng’s concern for Mother Nature comes out in her book when the heroic elephant and his animal cohorts say “No” to pollution, the cutting down of trees and the endangerment of their squirrel friends.
Children bring out their inner hero once they identify with these creatures. They can also find power in saying ‘No,’ the book implies, especially if they mean that an act cannot or should not be done because there is a better solution.
The young readers also find a loud voice in the elephant who, at first, throws a tantrum or sulks when their parent denies their request. Ng uses this negative situation to create a bridge between the human father, mother and the child reader.
Window in the wall
She likens the hard “No!” to a wall that has come between them. The book becomes a window where the child understands why the “No” is important and, while painful, necessary. It helps both parties “see how those no’s are affecting the child. If they hear it too often, the feelings will build up,” leading to an elephant tantrum.
Ng wrote the 500-word manuscript overnight after seeing her little boy’s sad facial expression to her rejection of his request to eat ice cream before bedtime. She wished she could have explained the situation better to him instead of the cryptic one-syllable reply. As she realized then, a book that could explain a parent’s “No!” may help the crestfallen kid “handle his feelings if he sees the reason behind the rejection.”
Early feedback, from Amazon readers, peer reviewers and parent influencers, has been positive, a fulfillment for the 30-something mom who had sent out 70 queries to book agents based in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.
Her entry into this arena may just have come at the right time: global publishers are opening their doors to Bipoc (black, Indigenous and other people of color) to increase representation and the diversity of their readers.
While Ng wants to explore other formats and topics, her love for the planet may not be far behind. She voiced an entrepreneurial crab in a recycling episode of “Miming and Friends,” the video animation series about caring for the environment.
One manuscript currently submitted to an agent is about a child’s garden gradually being destroyed by the structures being built by the grown-ups.
Regardless of which book comes out first, it will not be preachy but will respect the children. Ng describes today’s young generation of readers are “very creative, smart and curious … with a fresh perspective and who will not be bogged by their biases.”
She describes her job author: “to help them navigate and understand their world, and come up with their own solutions.”
“When an Elephant Hears ‘NO’ can be ordered at Amazon. com. The hardcover versions will soon be available in Philippine bookstores.