I'm one of those individuals who feel that "reading is fundamental". But, in our technological and visual age, reading means fundamentally crap to kids...lol. With the obvious exception of the Harry Potter "WORLD DOMINATION", there aren't many creative writers exploring more of what kids relate to, what they really aspire to be (and please! please! WRITE IN THEIR LANGUAGE, not ours...guess that's my "pet peeve". Anyway, here's a simple idea/concept for a possible entertaining children's book for parents to read with.
(CHANNEL THE LITTLE KID INSIDE!!!)
Imagine a beautiful bald eagle. Imagine this bald eagle living in Yellowstone National Park. His name is Forrest...Forrest Green (named by the ranger who took him in, and cared for him during a two year rehabilitation.) Forrest always knew he was different, and during this rehab period realizes he can understand, and interpret, information around him; he begins to learn at an incredibly quick rate. Two years later he has acquired enough info to understand the world in which he lives, and more importantly human beings (their emotions, their values, and their relationship to the environment). It is now the year 2025, and much of the earth's ecosystem is in ruin because of pollution and other such human irresponsibility. Forrest was reintroduced to the wild years ago by "the ranger". He lives a normal eagle's life, but he's developed relationships and respect from many of Yellowstone's wildlife due to his intellect. As I stated, much of the planet is in ruin. However, Yellowstone is highly protected and preserved (due to environmental organizations, and the government) because of its pristine beauty. One night, Forrest watches a television program through the window of "the ranger's" home, and sees an opportunity to change the direction the planet's environment is going: by using Yellowstone and the animals within. He then goes out of his way to convince these animals how important they are to the planet; and how the planets survival is directly related to the air they breathe, food they eat, life they live, etc.. He teaches the bison, wolves, fish (yes even fish), bears, elk, mountain goats, etc. etc., that humans are emotional beings, and if their heart is truly touched, they can become overwhelmingly generous and kind. He explains to them that at one time humans were, and could be again, inherently drawn and highly invested in animals and animal behavior (especially due to the lack of it on the planet). And that through showcasing themselves publicly, the Yellowstone Park animals could directly affect what happens with the future of the planet. Forrest pushes, and eventually convinces, the animals to forgoe their fright and skepticism toward humans; and they begin displaying their animalistic behavior in front of them (hunting, feeding, mating, sleeping, giving birth, etc. etc.). Eventually (just as he expects), the word spreads about the parks animals and what visitors are seeing. Humans begin taking notice. And they become much more interested in not only this park, but all they've neglected. This creates a "snowball effect" and people begin to look beyond their technology (their fast paced lives), to again recognize how incredible the world is around them. The BEAUTY displayed by the Yellowstone animals eventually begins to change how humans live. They start to donate, volunteer, teach, speak, and care because of what they see in Yellowstone. Overtime, and in a great way, humans begin to reshape and rebuild the planet (from the "Great Barrier Reef" to "The African Plains"). And it all started with the brave Yellowstone animals, because of a bird named Forrest...Forrest Green.
A SIMPLE MESSAGE THAT ANY YOUNGSTER CAN UNDERSTAND!
