The Guardians of the Forest
MY THOUGHTS
Our family recently holidayed in a beautiful wildlife reserve, and when it was time to leave, I asked the kids what they loved seeing and what they did not enjoy. They loved the waterfalls, different kinds of ferns, and little insect critters. They hated the mindless littering and the wilderness-unworthy behaviour. They were most unhappy watching a particular tour group of people making unnecessary noise to scare away animals and littering their beverage cans. They were upset that they couldn’t do anything to stop them. How do you teach your kids that their voice matters when it comes to saving the environment?
The Guardians of the Forest by Priyadarshini is about six friends who go into the forest to return a cat to its owner and end up losing two friends. They go in search of these friends and learn about the dark shadows haunting the forest. They deduce that these shadows only appear when people litter and make noise in the forest. They are determined to find out more about the shadows and ensure that they secure their woodland haven from miscreants.
This is the second book of Priyadarshini’s that I have reviewed, and I enjoy how she manages to pack so much into a story, all while drawing the reader into the plot. Her previous book, The Myth of the Wild Gaur, was also about caring for the environment and how people can stop big corporations from harming the environment if they stand united against them. Her stories are simple and revolve around a group of friends, and therein lies her hook for young readers. They see her characters as children just like them. She offers hope through simple solutions, and her stories are always set in idyllic areas that are now under threat from tourists and climate change.
This is a great read for children 7+ who care about the environment and want to know how they can help in their own little way. A book that will make them feel empowered and needed in the fight to save the planet. If you are raising a young eco warrior, then definitely get them this book. It shows that every little bit counts.
If you think your child would enjoy this book, you can buy it here →
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