Darcy Pattison

2017 at JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

DARCY GIVES KIDS A CHOICE AT JEFFERSON

Earth Day started in 1970, just as the environmental movements were starting. It has been a day to consider the health of our planet and to encourage conservation, environmental thinking, and to enjoy the beauty of the world.

Each year, around Earth Day, I join with Authors for Earth Day to present a school program. Before I go, I ask teachers and students to consider five different environmental organizations. They look up information on the goals of each organization and vote on their favorite. Then, a portion of my speaking fee is donated to that organization in honor of the school. This year the winning organization was Florida Wildlife Corridor.

During the school visit, I discussed three of my nature books. Students were interested and asked piercing questions. Even the kindergartners surprised me! One kindergarten student correctly knew the difference in nocturnal (awake at night) and diurnal (awake during the day). For Abayomi, the Brazilian scientists are still working to create wildlife corridors that will enable them to live in the urban landscape. Students understood that easily and wondered where there were corridors in their own city. Plastic pollution, which endangers seabirds, was a source of surprise. Students were amazed that the most common piece of plastic found in a bird's stomach was toothbrushes and cigarette lighters. If you want to see a blog post about my A4ED event with some video about the problems with plastic, click this link and scroll down.

2014 at GIBBS MAGNET SCHOOL, in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

DARCY EMPOWERS YOUNG READERS AT GIBBS

My event was on Monday and here are some pictures. I'll be donating to Panthera, the organization that does conservation for big cats.

2013 at GIBBS MAGNET SCHOOL, in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

DARCY CELEBRATES EARTH DAY AT GIBBS

2012 at WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

DARCY SPEAKS FOR NATURE AT WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY

I come to Earth Day with a background of reading the best of children's literature. Someone once said that if you read the Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein, it gives you a sense of the urgency of protecting the earth. When you read about the vicious orcs and how the Ents (large trees that are alive) also fought an important battle, you come away with a sense of the Earth and the need to protect it from all sorts of evils.

Several years ago, I looked at Arnold Schwarzenegger's movies and his career. He had a strong career in adventure thrillers like the long-lived series, "The Terminator." But at some point, he started to alternate the action movies with humorous movies like "Kindergarten Cop".

I wondered, if I keep writing middle grade novels and picture books, is there an alternate genre that I would like to write in. Immediately, I knew it would be nature. My family has always camped, hiked, floated, boated and done everything possible to spend time outside in nature. It was a natural.

With the publication of Wisdom, the Midway Albatross: Surviving the Japanese Tsunami and Other Disasters for Over 60 Years that dream is coming true. My third nature book is due out in August, Desert Baths (Sylvan Dell). And I am sure more are coming.

Going to Washington Elementary School for Earth Day was exciting. The kids there were fascinated by the story of the Oldest Known Wild Bird in the World (Wisdom). They voted to send their donation to Arkansas Audubon because the staff there regularly visits their school and takes them on field trips. It was a vote of thanks. Thanks A4ED for giving me the opportunity to invest in nature education in my own backyard.

Children's book author Darcy Pattison (on left) and Marilyn Johnson, Science Specialist, Washington Elementary, Little Rock School District (on right)