IBBY 2024
IBBY Congress, Trieste 2024
In English
New words for the wild
The artist and author Helle Laursen has, together with Kerteminde libraries and various schoolchildren, created a project that, through fiction, gives children new words for the wild. It inspires the search for knowledge, creates awareness and gives the children an emotional connection to nature. It also empowers children to discuss climate change and sustainability. New words for the wild gives children new insights in, as well as new awareness and new respect for the nature around them.
A benefit of the project is that it can be scaled accordingly, and used in any natural setting, such as forests, lakes, open land, sea and urban nature. The project opens childrens’ minds and stimulates the joy of reading, with fictional texts and nature activities provided by the specially designed logbook and workshop, all facilitated by artist and author Helle Laursen.
The logbook provides a constant awareness about nature’s importance, as it engages children in their classroom, when they are together with friends and family. The purpose of the logbook is that it is designed to inspire the children’s imagination and creativity.
The libraries facilitates the process of funding and cooperation with the local primary schools, thereby reaching the children and their families. While the project has been running, the library has had a special focus on providing and presenting books about nature, biodiversity and climate change. The children are aged between 10 and 12 years old.
Author and artist: Helle Laursen is educated through the Danish Design School and Central Saint Martins – University of the Arts and Design in London, and Librarian Cand.scient.bibl. from the University of Copenhagen. She is a children’s author and illustrator, who works in mixed media and with collage art. She facilitates creative workshops for children, which through art inspires children to tap into their imagination and artistic potential.
Kerteminde Libraries: Kerteminde Libraries is located in a rural municipality in close proximity to a protected landscape “Sybergland”, that hosts an abundance of lakes, wild flowers, insects and birds. It is a source of clean air, freshwater and biodiversity, as well as recreation for people in the local community.
www.kertemindebibliotekerne.dk