Halton Region launches A Farewell to Featherwagons to celebrate Clean Air Day

Halton Region celebrated Environment Week (June 5 – June 11, 2011) and Clear Air Day (June 8) with the first public reading of A Farewell to Featherwagons, a picture book for children aged four to eight. Jeanne Wilson, a teacher at Sedgewick Crescent Child Care Centre in Oakville, read the book to a group of enthusiastic five and six-year olds, who each received their own autographed copy of the book.

The Region published the book as part of its Air Quality Education and Awareness Raising program. It introduces little ones to air quality and climate change themes to inspire earth-friendly living at an early age. “In Halton Region, we enjoy a beautiful natural environment,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “A Farewell to Featherwagons builds on these images, using the Escarpment, the Lake and local wildlife, to educate and entertain young readers and their families. We all have an important role to play in protecting the environment—this resource provides useful tips on how to make a difference for readers of all ages.”

The story is about Biff, a Barn Owl who loves to go to the Great Lake with his brother Tyto and sister Alba-Alba. When their efforts to get there are spoiled by traffic, bad air, and bad storms, the owls begin to think about how their “featherwagon” contributes to air pollution and climate change. They quickly discover a better way to get to the Lake—using their wings to fly.

“Stories are a wonderful way of introducing environment and health themes to early readers,” said Dr. Bob Nosal, Medical Officer of Health for Halton Region. “They also make for engaging teaching tools, and are a powerful force in children’s language and literacy development.”

Over the next few months, copies of the book along with a complementary Storytelling Kit, will be provided to public libraries in Halton as well as child care centres, schools, community networks and partners.

For more information or to download an electronic version of the book, visit www.halton.ca/featherwagons or dial 311, 905-825-6000, toll free 1-866-442-5866 or TTY 905-827-9833. The first 50 people who complete a copy of an online evaluation of the book will receive a free copy of the book.

Support Our Sponsors