2014年 10月 30日
Green Isn |
If you think topics about “the environment” need to be serious and somber, think again! During this season of whimsy, celebration and giving thanks --and as we make a fresh new start with the new year--everyone should be reminded:
* How funny and creative it can be to go green (not merely red and green!) and help save our planet.
* Kids and adults can’t help but chuckle at and learn from endearing cartoon characters and clever stories that explore nature, from nature’s point of view.
* Cartoons represent an art-form that not only entertains, but also imparts valuable lessons about life, especially as we all endeavor to be more Earth-friendly in 2012 and beyond.
* This is a season of giving. Let’s give a healthier, cleaner future to ourselves and future generations.
Long before I became a professional cartoonist involved in such issues, I was captivated by movies and television shows featuring wildlife and their day-to-day struggles to survive. As I began my career in cartooning and storytelling, I learned more and more about the environmental challenges all of earth’s inhabitants face: from depleted woodlands and wetlands, to forest fires, pollution, global warming, melting polar ice caps and holes in the ozone. I wanted to connect all this--concerns about our environment, appreciating the great outdoors, and old-fashioned cartooning that features fun, fascinating characters--to educate people of all ages. We can all laugh and be entertained as we learn about protecting our environment.
And which types of animals are funniest? How can they be linked to the environmental message? How can they make an impact during the holiday season and other key times important to children, including the school year? What characters will engage both kids and young-at-heart adults? Of course I wanted to include cartoon creatures we recognize readily and who can be infused with personalities--life forms that range from birds to bats, from horses to deer, from insects to plants to squirrels and (yes) even domesticated pets. They all spark the imagination at holiday time and year-round.
I drew my first cartoon while a student at Delaware Valley College in Pennsylvania, where I shared my dorm room with a turtle named Iggy, and three lizards. I even developed my first holiday feature “The Christmas Igglet” that told of Iggy (dressed as Santa Claus) delivering toys to his lizard friends. I think of that original story every holiday season!
It’s easy to chuckle at characters like the naïve and long-lived turtle (Iggy) who needs his shell but also struggles with bouts of claustrophobia. Now I extend the message of being green (also reminding how we humans are impacting the environment) and teach others about the intricacies of nature via many other cartoon creatures, including Iggy, as they frolic:
* A trouble-making dragonfly who finds adventure as he makes his rounds flying around the pond and throughout nature.
* A genius bullfrog who loves computers, physics and scientific pursuits.
* A rogue neighborhood raccoon that spends most of his time rummaging.
* Various forest and pond-dwelling animals that peacefully coexist, even when man intrudes on their surroundings.
WHO KNEW BEING GREEN COULD BE SO HILARIOUS?
I also hope YOU will use your own interests and talents to be more environmentally conscious and have fun and hilarity this holiday season. At this special time of year, I ask if you will help your surroundings and the real-life flora and fauna with whom we share the planet. Perhaps you could:
* Read with children to teach them about our natural world.
* Grow/prepare a garden.
* Add a bird feeder or bird house. Learn about song birds that you attract.
* Feed the squirrels. Build a maze/squirrel feeder.
* Compost fallen leaves, to enrich our soil (rather than overload our landfills).
* Buy and decorate a live re-plantable Christmas tree, that will someday create shade outside and a home for our animal neighbors.
* Recycle newspapers, wrappings, cards and other paper items that are especially plentiful at holiday time.
I also encourage that you donate to others in this season of giving, and as you plan your New Year‘s Resolutions. I have designated that a percentage of my cartoon book profits go to the Morris Animal Foundation and to P.A.L.S. -- Protecting and Preserving Animals, People and the Environment. Happy Holidays!
Cartoonist Drew Aquilina has authored the international award-winning GREEN PIECES: GREEN FROM THE POND UP. His next two books in the series, MEET THE POND FRIENDS and ONE PIECE AT A TIME, will be released in Spring 2012. Contact 480-219-4559; greenpiecestoons@gmail.com; http://www.greenpiecesbooks.com.
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* How funny and creative it can be to go green (not merely red and green!) and help save our planet.
* Kids and adults can’t help but chuckle at and learn from endearing cartoon characters and clever stories that explore nature, from nature’s point of view.
* Cartoons represent an art-form that not only entertains, but also imparts valuable lessons about life, especially as we all endeavor to be more Earth-friendly in 2012 and beyond.
* This is a season of giving. Let’s give a healthier, cleaner future to ourselves and future generations.
Long before I became a professional cartoonist involved in such issues, I was captivated by movies and television shows featuring wildlife and their day-to-day struggles to survive. As I began my career in cartooning and storytelling, I learned more and more about the environmental challenges all of earth’s inhabitants face: from depleted woodlands and wetlands, to forest fires, pollution, global warming, melting polar ice caps and holes in the ozone. I wanted to connect all this--concerns about our environment, appreciating the great outdoors, and old-fashioned cartooning that features fun, fascinating characters--to educate people of all ages. We can all laugh and be entertained as we learn about protecting our environment.
And which types of animals are funniest? How can they be linked to the environmental message? How can they make an impact during the holiday season and other key times important to children, including the school year? What characters will engage both kids and young-at-heart adults? Of course I wanted to include cartoon creatures we recognize readily and who can be infused with personalities--life forms that range from birds to bats, from horses to deer, from insects to plants to squirrels and (yes) even domesticated pets. They all spark the imagination at holiday time and year-round.
I drew my first cartoon while a student at Delaware Valley College in Pennsylvania, where I shared my dorm room with a turtle named Iggy, and three lizards. I even developed my first holiday feature “The Christmas Igglet” that told of Iggy (dressed as Santa Claus) delivering toys to his lizard friends. I think of that original story every holiday season!
It’s easy to chuckle at characters like the naïve and long-lived turtle (Iggy) who needs his shell but also struggles with bouts of claustrophobia. Now I extend the message of being green (also reminding how we humans are impacting the environment) and teach others about the intricacies of nature via many other cartoon creatures, including Iggy, as they frolic:
* A trouble-making dragonfly who finds adventure as he makes his rounds flying around the pond and throughout nature.
* A genius bullfrog who loves computers, physics and scientific pursuits.
* A rogue neighborhood raccoon that spends most of his time rummaging.
* Various forest and pond-dwelling animals that peacefully coexist, even when man intrudes on their surroundings.
WHO KNEW BEING GREEN COULD BE SO HILARIOUS?
I also hope YOU will use your own interests and talents to be more environmentally conscious and have fun and hilarity this holiday season. At this special time of year, I ask if you will help your surroundings and the real-life flora and fauna with whom we share the planet. Perhaps you could:
* Read with children to teach them about our natural world.
* Grow/prepare a garden.
* Add a bird feeder or bird house. Learn about song birds that you attract.
* Feed the squirrels. Build a maze/squirrel feeder.
* Compost fallen leaves, to enrich our soil (rather than overload our landfills).
* Buy and decorate a live re-plantable Christmas tree, that will someday create shade outside and a home for our animal neighbors.
* Recycle newspapers, wrappings, cards and other paper items that are especially plentiful at holiday time.
I also encourage that you donate to others in this season of giving, and as you plan your New Year‘s Resolutions. I have designated that a percentage of my cartoon book profits go to the Morris Animal Foundation and to P.A.L.S. -- Protecting and Preserving Animals, People and the Environment. Happy Holidays!
Cartoonist Drew Aquilina has authored the international award-winning GREEN PIECES: GREEN FROM THE POND UP. His next two books in the series, MEET THE POND FRIENDS and ONE PIECE AT A TIME, will be released in Spring 2012. Contact 480-219-4559; greenpiecestoons@gmail.com; http://www.greenpiecesbooks.com.
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by edwinmarshallt
| 2014-10-30 18:10