Halton's popular picture book, A Farewell to Featherwagons, now available in additional languages

Today Halton Region posted e-book translations on the Region’s website of the popular children’s picture book for children aged four to eight, A Farewell to Featherwagons. The Region published an English version of the book, and a complementary Storytelling Kit, as part of its Air Quality Education and Awareness Raising program earlier this year. The book introduces children to air quality and climate change themes to inspire earth-friendly living at an early age.

“We are pleased to be able to share the messages about the important role we all play in protecting the environment with an even broader audience,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “A Farewell to Featherwagons is now available in French, Spanish, Polish and Cantonese, reflecting the top four languages spoken most often at home in Halton other than English.”

Since the book was launched in June, more than 2,500 copies have been distributed to libraries, schools and day care centres across Halton and there have been close to 2,000 visits to the related webpage.

The story is about Biff, Tyto and Alba-Alba, Barn Owls who enjoy taking a Saturday drive in their “featherwagon” to their favourite place in the world — the Great Lake. When their efforts to get there are spoiled by traffic, bad air, and bad storms, the owls begin to think about how their vehicle contributes to air pollution and climate change. They quickly discover a better way to get to the Lake — using their wings to fly.

“By making these translations available, we are taking a first step to providing Halton’s diverse communities with greater access to important air quality themes in their own languages,” said Dr. Bob Nosal, Medical Officer of Health for Halton Region. “Hopefully children of recent immigrants will be able to better understand the story, and just as important, share its themes with parents, grandparents and others in their community.”

According to one reader, the book “makes a difficult topic like climate change very understandable and interesting for both children and adults.” Called “perfect in every way” by another reader, A Farewell to Featherwagons has been well received by children, teachers and parents here in Halton and as far away as New Brunswick. A second book is planned for 2012.

For more information or to download an electronic version of A Farewell to Featherwagons in any of the five languages now available or dial 311, 905-825-6000, toll free 1-866-442-5866 or TTY 905-827-9833. The Regional Municipality of Halton serves more than 500,000 residents in the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton, and the Town of Oakville.

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