There is something truly remarkable about the world around us. From the extraordinary creatures that call our planet home to the breathtaking landscapes and natural wonders that stretch across every corner of the globe, there is so much to discover and appreciate about the world we share. And while the world around us continues to change with each passing generation, there are some things that remain just as important today as they have always been. Among them is the connection we share with the animals and environments that make our planet such an extraordinary place.
For children, the world is filled with endless possibilities for discovery. Whether it is learning about an animal they have never encountered before, exploring the different environments that exist beyond their own backyards or simply beginning to understand how the world around them works, there is something special about the curiosity and wonder that comes with seeing things through the eyes of a child.
And when it comes to helping younger generations explore these ideas, books have long been one of the most meaningful ways to introduce children to new experiences and perspectives.
Something that is especially true when it comes to the stories being told by Green Kids Club.
Founded by environmental engineer and author Sylvia M. Medina, Green Kids Club has made it its mission to introduce young readers to important environmental topics through stories that combine imaginative adventures, memorable characters and educational messages. Rather than simply presenting children with facts, the books look to create experiences that encourage curiosity, compassion and a greater understanding of the animals that share our world.
And with two of its titles, Danger in the Arctic and Saving Skali, Green Kids Club is taking readers on two very different journeys, each exploring the relationship between humans and wildlife in its own way.
Beginning with Danger in the Arctic, written by Sylvia M. Medina and illustrated by Andreas Wessel-Therhorn, readers are introduced to an adventure that takes them into one of the coldest and most extraordinary regions of our planet. Following siblings Maya, Victor and Tiago, the story sees the trio traveling to the Arctic to visit their friend Iluak and discover more about the animals that call this frozen landscape home.
However, these are no ordinary children. Having previously discovered the magical Green Spring, the siblings have been given the ability to communicate with animals, allowing them to understand the creatures they encounter and work alongside them throughout their adventures.
What begins as an exciting opportunity to explore the Arctic soon becomes something much more important as the children begin to learn about the challenges facing the region. From the effects of pollution to the dangers of melting ice, the story introduces readers to some of the ways human activities can impact the habitats of animals living in colder climates.
One of the things that makes Danger in the Arctic such an interesting introduction to these topics is how the book incorporates its lessons directly into the adventure itself. Rather than simply explaining the effects of environmental changes, the story allows its characters to experience some of these challenges firsthand. When the ice beneath their sled begins to break apart, leaving the group stranded and drifting away from shore, the dangers facing the Arctic become something the children must confront themselves.
At the same time, the story places a great deal of emphasis on the importance of working together. Through characters such as Balto, Siku the harp seal and the other animals they encounter along the way, readers are introduced to a world where humans and animals can communicate and understand one another.
It is a simple idea, but one that works particularly well for the book’s intended audience. By giving the animals their own voices and personalities, the story encourages children to see them as more than simply creatures living in distant parts of the world. Instead, they become characters with their own experiences and challenges, creating a stronger connection between readers and the animals featured throughout the adventure.
The illustrations by Andreas Wessel-Therhorn also play an important role in bringing this journey to life. From the beautiful colors of the Northern Lights to the snowy landscapes and expressive animal characters, the artwork captures the wonder of the Arctic while giving younger readers plenty to explore as they follow the story. The brighter colors and approachable character designs help balance the more serious themes, creating an experience that remains inviting even as the story introduces some difficult subjects.
But while Danger in the Arctic takes a more adventurous approach to its storytelling, Green Kids Club’s Saving Skali explores another side of the relationship between humans and animals through a story that is considerably more emotional.
Written by Phil Fairclough and Sylvia M. Medina, with illustrations once again provided by Andreas Wessel-Therhorn, Saving Skali introduces readers to a young orca living alongside her family in the waters of the Pacific Northwest. Surrounded by her pod and enjoying the freedom of the ocean, Skali’s life is filled with the familiar comforts of family, companionship and the waters she has always known.
That is, until everything changes.
When a group of hunters arrives and captures the young orca, Skali finds herself separated from her family and taken away from the only home she has ever known. Transported across the country to the Miami Seaquarium, she is placed in a small enclosure where she must adjust to a life that could not be more different from the one she left behind.
Inspired by the real-life story of the orca known as Lolita, Saving Skali takes a much more direct and emotional approach to its subject matter, introducing younger readers to the realities of marine animal captivity through the experiences of a character they come to know throughout the story.
What makes this book particularly moving is how much of it is told through Skali’s perspective. From her memories of swimming freely alongside her family to the loneliness she feels in captivity, the story continually reminds readers of everything that has been taken away from her. Even as she begins to find moments of companionship with other animals, there is a sadness that remains throughout much of her journey.
And while these moments can be difficult, they also help establish one of the book’s most meaningful ideas. That the animals we encounter, whether in the wild or in places created for human entertainment, have their own experiences, relationships and needs that extend far beyond what we may see on the surface.
Alongside Skali’s journey, the story also introduces readers to Jeff, a young man who initially participates in capturing orcas before beginning to reconsider his actions. Through his experiences and the people he encounters, the book explores the idea that understanding the consequences of our choices can lead to meaningful change, and that recognizing when something is wrong can be the beginning of making things right.
It is an interesting contrast to Skali’s story, particularly as the book moves toward its conclusion. While Skali’s experiences highlight the emotional consequences of captivity, Jeff’s journey introduces a message about learning, responsibility and the possibility of change.
Of course, Saving Skali is not always an easy story, especially for its intended audience of younger readers. The book does not shy away from the sadness surrounding Skali’s experiences, and its conclusion is particularly heartbreaking. Despite the hope surrounding efforts to return her to the ocean, Skali ultimately passes away before she can experience that freedom again.
It is a difficult ending, but one that also gives the story much of its emotional impact. Unlike adventures where everything works out in the end, Saving Skali reminds readers that not every story has a happy conclusion, and that sometimes the most meaningful lessons come from understanding experiences that are difficult to confront.
The illustrations once again help bring much of this emotion to the page. Through the contrast between the open waters of Skali’s home and the confined surroundings of captivity, the artwork helps readers understand the changes in her life beyond the words of the story itself. The expressive character designs and quieter moments throughout the book also help establish an emotional connection with Skali, making her journey all the more memorable.
When looking at both Danger in the Arctic and Saving Skali together, one of the things that stands out is how differently the two books approach their storytelling. While one uses a colorful adventure and the excitement of discovery to introduce children to unfamiliar environments and the challenges facing them, the other takes a more emotional approach, asking readers to consider the experiences of an animal whose life has been dramatically changed by human actions.
And yet, despite these differences, both stories share a common thread. They encourage readers to look beyond their own experiences and begin to understand the lives of the animals featured throughout their pages.
Both books also incorporate educational information that expands upon the subjects introduced throughout their stories. From learning more about Arctic wildlife and changing environments to understanding the social relationships and natural behaviors of orcas, these additional materials give families an opportunity to continue exploring the topics long after the stories themselves have ended.
While some of the lessons are presented quite directly, particularly in Danger in the Arctic, the approach makes sense given the books’ younger audience and educational focus. Saving Skali, on the other hand, is a story that may benefit from being read alongside a parent or caregiver, especially given the emotional nature of its subject matter and the questions it may raise.
Ultimately, Danger in the Arctic and Saving Skali are two very different stories that offer young readers an opportunity to discover more about the extraordinary animals that share our world. Through their memorable characters, expressive illustrations and thoughtful storytelling, Green Kids Club introduces children to subjects that extend far beyond the pages of either book.
And while the journeys themselves may be different, both stories leave readers with something worth thinking about long after the final page has been turned.
Because sometimes, the most important thing a story can do is encourage us to see the world a little differently.
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