The importance of animal stories in children’s books by Holly Webb
I grew up with a house full of pets, and loving books about
animals. I know that I’m supposed to be able to describe The Story of
Greenriver in a couple of succinct sentences, but when anyone asks me what
the book’s about, I find myself explaining that it’s an otter book because I
love otters – but it’s also a loving homage to Redwall, The Animals
of Farthing Wood, The Wind in the Willows, Watership Down,
and hundreds of others. With a whole lot of time spent poring over the
illustrations to the Brambly Hedge books thrown in. And a lot of pony
books.
I think I loved books about animals so much because I wanted
as many animals in our house as we could fit in. (I feel slightly deprived at
the moment, with only three cats.) But stories about animals aren’t only for
children who dream about fitting a pony in their back garden. It can often be
easier to identify with an animal character than a human one – it’s difficult,
sometimes, to realise, Oh, I’m quite like that person! The separation
between the reader and the animal makes it easier, more acceptable even, to admit,
Yes, I’m lonely, I need a challenge, I’m struggling. And of course it’s
a lot easier to write adventure for animal characters, since that same
separation means that you don’t need to worry as much about encouraging
dangerous behaviour!
After so much stressful pandemic time – with two years being
a fifth of a ten year old’s lifetime, just as an example – time outdoors is
vital for all of us. But it’s very easy to feel that natural landscapes aren’t
for you. That they’re scary, or dangerous (which obviously they can be, even
more so when you’re unfamiliar with them!) boring, or just strange. Fabulous
books like The Diary of a Young Naturalist, by Dara McAnulty, and The
Lost Words, by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris – whose otters are
incredibly beautiful! – have raised the importance of familiarising children
with the natural world again, with letting us all see the beauty and
fascination waiting for us. There are huge benefits for everyone’s mental
health, but also for the natural world. People who love animals and the natural
landscape will want to protect them – and they’ve never needed that protection
more.
I started writing The Story of Greenriver because I loved
otters, and I wanted to create an exciting adventure story. As I was writing, my
love for the river and the woods around it grew into a deep wish to inspire
children to explore the natural world and feel comfortable in it. Everyone
should be able to spend time outdoors, to find a place that’s home and
adventure, with its own deep magic.z
Holly Webb
