Wings and Thingamajigs
Halton Region celebrated Canadian Environment Week (June 3 – June 9, 2012) and Clean Air Day (June 6) with the first public reading of "Wings and Thingamajigs", a picture book for children aged four to eight.
"Wings and Thingamajigs" is the second in a three-book series about the implications of air quality and climate change on human health. This book builds on the themes presented in book one, "A Farewell to Featherwagons", particularly the impact of transportation and greenhouse gases, while introducing alternative forms of transportation such as walking.
The story brings back Biff, Tyto and Alba-Alba, the Barn Owls from the first book and introduces a new character, a feisty Screech Owl named Echo. When the owls arrive for their first day of school, they are surrounded by idling vehicles in the school drop-off zone. The pollution affects Alba-Alba, who has asthma. As the story progresses, the owls are given an assignment – to invent a non-polluting form of transportation powered by their own wings and talons. While building her project, Alba-Alba discovers that her new friend, Echo, also has breathing difficulties. Together, Alba-Alba and Echo learn that by taking action to “spare the air,” they’ll be able to breathe better and have fun along the way.
Over the next few months, copies of the book along with a link to complementary online Storytelling Kit, will be provided to public libraries in Halton as well as child care centres, schools, community networks and partners.
To download an electronic version of Wings and Thingamajigs, visit www.halton.ca/thingamajigs. For more information, dial 311, 905-825-6000, toll free 1-866-442-5866 or TTY 905-827-9833. The first 100 people who complete a copy of an online evaluation of the book will receive a free copy of the book.
Visit www.halton.ca/featherwagons to read A Farewell to Featherwagons, which is also available online in French, Cantonese, Polish and Spanish.
