Janey Louise Jones is the author of Princess Poppy, Please, Please Save The Bees!
Princess Poppy
I write about pollination in a fun way for children
We have all read the reports saying there are fewer pollinators around and as humans we need them to provide ample food supplies. In the first of my new Poppy advocacy books, we see Poppy organising a march through Honeypot Hill to SAVE THE BEES! Poppy is proactive but not too pushy and I want to inspire children to feel powerful and engaged, but never scared, about the future of our planet through my writing.
Biodiversity!
This leads onto the biodiversity discussion and at the back of my book, there is a bug quest. I think it’s important that children recognise insects and don’t think of them negatively. I am keen to point out how important and beautiful they are, be they shield bugs, butterflies or grasshoppers. All these creatures need the right habitat to prosper and this is what some farming methods have damaged. I don’t want to make children fearful, just mindful about respecting our natural world.
I make sure my books are printed in the UK to avoid airmiles or shipping
Even though it costs more to print in the UK, I try to do so. Market forces have pushed the retail price of books down and down. This means publishers seek cheap print prices on cheap papers overseas. So, we see low cost books being shipped half way round the world in cargo. It doesn’t make environmental sense to do this.
All my books are produced on FSC approved paper
The FSC badge on my books means the papers are Forestry Stewardship Council approved. This means that all environmental laws and treaties are observed in the production of the paper and that people are treated well in the process too.
Small Changes make a BIG Difference
At literary events, I inform on simple changes we can all adopt to make a difference to the environment, such as using beeswax wraps instead of cling film for lunches, and putting up a bee hotel in our gardens. I love the idea of leaving your bucket and spade in a communal container on the beach when you leave so other can use them.
Providing Inspiration
I like to inspire children to take small actions in their local world such as planting a window box with flower seeds for bees, or recycling old clothes into cool bags for life. I think inertia about the environment comes from feeling powerless. I firmly believe that we feel more positive when we recycle thoughtfully and re-use as much as possible. I bring this into the Poppy stories.
Flights and fuel
As I tour the country with the new Princess Poppy books, I try to either drive in a hybrid car or take trains. I think that flying for short journeys is an unnecessary strain on the environment and it’s important to me that they way I travel to talk about my writing reflects the values in that writing.