How I use Storytelling to connect children to nature and their environment by Jasbinder Bilan
We have an enchanting blog from Jasbinder Bilan about how she uses stories to connect children to nature and their environment. Read on to discover more about her writing and inspiration for Anya’s Quest.
HOW I USE STORYTELLING TO CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT
JASBINDER BILAN
My relationship with storytelling began from a tender age and brings back such warm memories. My grandmother was a wonderful storyteller and she passed on those vivid worlds to me. Her stories were steeped in nature and family and I connected so physically to their environments.
When children relax and enter an imaginary world where all sorts of things can happen, they are made to believe that anything is possible. The environment is very much a children’s domain. It’s the place they feel empowered, where they can explore freely and also a place of ‘what ifs?’
And this is where nature and stories connect; by opening up the imagination. My inspiration for Anya’s Quest came from a burning desire to tell a story that has nature at its core. The idea of water and the way it brings the whole world together is a powerful one. In Indian myths and storytelling there is no greater power than the goddess Ganga. She was called to earth by humans to wash away the ashes of their loved ones and the story goes that she came to earth in such an immense display of strength that Lord Shiva had to slow her flow by laying down his mighty hair for her.
In this story I want to celebrate the wonderful world of the Indian gods and goddesses and show readers that this incredible realm is for everyone. Its starting point is the idea that the goddess Ganga needs help from the children of the world. Her waters are polluted, taken for granted, overused. She needs them to wake up and listen to their hearts. She needs them to find the world’s lullaby and only the children can do this.
I also wanted to create an exciting eco-adventure that would reach out to children and help them to find their voices. Nature is incredibly nurturing and in our present-day chaos of virtual worlds, it can give children a comforting anchor to hold onto. A small poppy sprouting from between the cracks in a city pavement can be just as wonderful as a whole forest in the countryside.
The beauty with stories is that they are for everyone. Whether children live in a city with few green spaces or have regular access to wild spaces, the power of fiction brings these environments to life.
Another important thread is the connection we have to animals. Anya is searching for her spirit animal and Mahi already knows that she is forever linked to snow leopards. Children can ask themselves who their special spirit animal is and going forward, promise to care for them.
I hope that children of all ages will climb aboard Ganga’s ice chariot and immerse themselves in the journey to save the planet.
