What’s your favourite nature book?
In a year like 2020, our inherent need to connect with nature has never been more apparent. When we can’t step outside to breathe the crisp air of the bush, nature books can take us there.
The Wilderness Society is proud to announce the inaugural Nature Book Week, commencing on Threatened Species Day on 7 September. Books can inspire the next generation to be custodians of nature through creative writing and captivating illustration; Nature Book Week is a celebration of some of Australia’s finest storytellers.
We are also excited to reveal that presenter, actor, children’s author and illustrator Rove McManus will be Nature Book Week’s first Ambassador.
“I am thrilled to be the Ambassador of Nature Book Week,” says Rove.
“To think that there are people out there who are trying to, in a creative way, share the idea of how important it is to take care of our planet for the next generation, I think is a really important thing, because that’s exactly what we’re trying to do.”
Rove will be presiding over an event-filled week, with online readings, talks and awards, kicking off with a live National Threatened Species Day discussion on Facebook with author and conservationist Prof. Tim Flannery.
Tim’s new children’s book Explore Your World: Weird, Wild, Amazing!, made it into the shortlist for this year’s Environment Award For Children’s Literature (EACL), a competition that’s been running for over 25 years. Nature Book Week culminates with the eagerly anticipated announcement of the winners of the 2020 EACL in a live award’s ceremony. The judging panel, comprising science communicator Dr Jen Martin, award-winning author David Lawrence and Nature Book Week Ambassador Rove McManus, will be there to explain why they chose the winning titles in this Facebook Live event on 10 September.
So join us for a week of inspired storytelling from Australia’s finest writers and illustrators, helping us to celebrate the talented people who continue to promote a love of nature in children.
All books on the EACL 2020 shortlist can be purchased online from Gleebooks.
