In honour of Lahti Green Capital 2021, every first grader in Lahti received a book that encourages literacy and daily environmentalism.
Lahti Green Capital 2021 sourced a children's book in Finnish about Lahti's environmental story highlighting the restoration of the badly polluted Vesijärvi lake. Furthermore, Lahti Green Capital 2021 distributed the book to elementary schools and gave one book to every first grader in the city of Lahti. First-year students got the book for free, while second-year students got virtual e-books used for educational purposes. The book encourages literacy and daily environmentalism as it gives everyday tips for an environmentally friendly lifestyle for families with children, regardless of the city of residence.
The book was co-designed with citizens and cooperation with municipal Environmental educators and Communication officials of the Lahti Green Capital 2021. The content and characters of the book are created together with the citizens, as the main character hero “Superkisu”, who sends the children on a climate agent adventure in Lahti. The character was drawn by 6-year old Julie, in a virtual drawing workshop organized for children in spring 2020. After the workshop, the main character was chosen by a public vote. Furthermore, students at the Salpaus Training Center brought the character to life, by sewing a mascot outfit that was seen during spring 2021 in various events representing the Lahti Green Capital 2021. Kindergartens and preschools have borrowed the outfit free of charge for educational purposes. Textiles for the outfit were donated.
Resources needed
The book has 33 pages and costs around 20€, depending on the bookstore. The book is ideal for 6 to 9-year-old children. Lahti Green Capital 2021 donated the book to all first graders in Lahti. Asikkala municipality bought and gifted their first graders with the book.
Evidence of success
The book was published and distributed in February 2021. Donated to approximately 1 100 households in Lahti, as well as to each kindergarten group in the city. The book was further ordered by libraries all over the nation.
The book was the fourth book from the local publisher (Merkityskirjat), known for social sustainability as some proceeds, approximately 18 000 euros, have been donated to Finnish organizational work and third sector associations from the previous three books proceeds.
Difficulties encountered
The book was sold out from the publisher's (Merkityskirjat) storage within a month after publishing. The book is only in Finnish although there have been requests and interest to publish it in English as well.
Potential for learning or transfer
Children have come up with a menu for the vegetarian restaurant highlighted in the book as well as the main character. All citizens contributions are marked in the book with number symbols. The e-book format can be read online free of charge on this site: https://issuu.com/merkityskirjat/docs/helga_ja_helmeri_ilmastoagentteina_issuu
The feedback from the book was so popular that it got a continuation in the form of a six-episode long podcast that supports circular economy and environmental education for children and is free of charge. The first episode offers advice and tips for environmental anxiety that the main characters Helga and Helmeri are facing. The second episode discusses sustainable mobility fit for children.
Through active and engaging social media, “Helga and Helmeri” are engaging children (mainly 4 to 11-year-old), who compete with social media posts to win an educational environmental package and inspire children to take further actions for the environment.
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Tags: Digital literacy, Education, Environment, Good practice
