Promoting ecoliteracy:

challenges of children’s literature

in the new millennium

R. RAMOS* & A. M. RAMOS** *University of Minho**University of Aveiro

Centre of Child StudiesPortugal

in the new millennium

Introduction (1)

� Research project "Environment and ecoliteracy

in recent literature for children” (1/9/2009 – 31/12/2011)

� (Centre for Child Studies, University of Minho, Braga,

Portugal)

� www.ecoliteracia.iec.uminho.pt

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Introduction (2)

� Aim of this study:

� to identify the lines of intersection between the � to identify the lines of intersection between the

aesthetic and recreational dimensions of children’s

literature and its pedagogical possibilities,

specifically concerning ecoliteracy

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Theoretical framework

� Linguistic and literary approach

� children’s literature theory� (Hunt, 1991; Colomer, 1999; Gomes, 1998)

� discourse analysis / linguistic constructivism� (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980; Halliday, 2001)

� ecoliteracy and environmental education� (Drouin & Astolfi 1986; Borges 2002; Capra 2002)

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� For this paper, two distinct collections of literary texts

by Portuguese authors published during the last

decade were selected, which are therefore accessible

to current readers.

Object of study (1)

to current readers.

� “Pintar o Verde com Letras” [Colouring Green with Letters],

published by Gailivro, in partnership with the Regional

Cultural Division of the North, by various authors and

illustrators (8 volumes)

� “Biblioteca Infantil” [Children’s Library], published by

Edições Nelson de Matos, written by Francisco Alegre

Duarte and illustrated by Cláudia Mariz (5 volumes)

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� “Colouring Green with Letters” collection

Object of study (corpus A)

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Findings (1)

� The secret of bell rock� elects as a backdrop the Mirandela Plateau

� interaction among multiple natural elements, one of which

being humans

� the text builds an image of the natural surroundings which

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� the text builds an image of the natural surroundings which

are common to different species

� a balanced network of

individuals and whose survival

is interdependent

Findings (2)

� The Immigrant Goat� a story which is set in the Peneda-Gerês National Park

� recover and preserve natural heritage and its diversity

� draws the readers’ attention to other species which are also

at risk

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at risk

� the listing of animal and vegetable species focuses the

readers’ attention

� biodiversity is clearly evoked in

this text, as well as the need to

adopt ways of life which respect

and maintain it

� direct plea to the virtual reader

Findings (3)

� Foz Côa between sky and river � action is set in the Côa Valley Archaeological Park

� diachronic human experience, associated with the area of

the Côa Valley

� harmonious relationship between humans and the

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� harmonious relationship between humans and the

environment

� some notion of

interaction and

interdependence

Findings (4)

� Grass-word� landscape of the International

Douro Natural Park

� combines different text types, in the shape of a collection of

multifaceted fragments

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� discourse hybridism

� nature elements are personified

� texts collate the natural and human

landscapes in an original and

sensitive way, validating other

perspectives of what surrounds us

� dynamics of nature and the discovery of its equilibrium in

permanent motion

� “Children’s Library” collection

Object of study (corpus B)

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Findings (5)

� Paws and Carapace � tells of the adventures of two crabs who after being

captured, remain in the control of two brothers, confined to

a bucket, upon which is depicted as a violence against

nature and which prevents them from making full use of

their basic rights.

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their basic rights.

� the heroes, personified in such a

way that the readers can identify

with them, are able to recover

their freedom

Findings (6)

� Shark Bite � tells the story of a shark who whilst still young, is captured to

be exhibited in the Lisbon Oceanarium, and about its return

to its natural ecosystem.

� a holistic understanding of the ecosystem

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a holistic understanding of the ecosystem

Findings (7)

� Saw and Graze. A story of love and music � the adventures of a couple of crickets in love are narrated,

who after being captured, are removed from their natural

environment and transported to the city

� they miss the countryside from where they came

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� a certain feeling of nostalgia in relation to a rural context

Findings (8)

� Mary Web, the spider in the family � the spider shares the house with a family

� the spider, of her own volition, takes on the role of defender

of the humans

� strongly euphoric evaluative modalisation of the character

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� strongly euphoric evaluative modalisation of the character

of the spider

� some interaction among the

various elements which make

up a restricted ecosystem

Findings (9)

� Coiled Joana � going against the stereotype of the snake, the character is

described as inoffensive and a victim and not as dangerous

and aggressive

� an attempt to rescue the image

of the snake, which is generally

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of the snake, which is generally

seen as a symbol of negativity

and danger, inverting the

polarity of that evaluation

Conclusions (1) – corpus A

• the pedagogical intentionality is obvious and explicit

• the attempt to bring together that dimension with the ludic

and aesthetic one

• no depiction of human superiority to nature or the power of

man against nature, or the evocation of the potential risk that

that depiction could contain

• the pedagogical intentionality is obvious and explicit

• the attempt to bring together that dimension with the ludic

and aesthetic one

• no depiction of human superiority to nature or the power of

man against nature, or the evocation of the potential risk that

that depiction could contain

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that depiction could contain

• the frames created are predominantly harmonious

• the power of nature is not in its threat to humanity

• ecosystems are presented in their complexity and a result of

a historical origin

• idea of interaction and interdependence among the

elements

• some perception of the need to safeguard balance

that depiction could contain

• the frames created are predominantly harmonious

• the power of nature is not in its threat to humanity

• ecosystems are presented in their complexity and a result of

a historical origin

• idea of interaction and interdependence among the

elements

• some perception of the need to safeguard balance

Conclusions (2) – corpus B

• anthropocentric view of nature

• seeks to question some preconceived, naïve or superficial

ideas, which are in effect deeply anthropocentric, cataloguing

animals, plants and natural elements according to utilitarian

and stereotypical criteria

• anthropocentric view of nature

• seeks to question some preconceived, naïve or superficial

ideas, which are in effect deeply anthropocentric, cataloguing

animals, plants and natural elements according to utilitarian

and stereotypical criteria

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and stereotypical criteria

• accessible to very young children

• explicitly directive perspective which is characteristic of

environmental discourse, in an attempt to change discourses,

mentalities and the actions of the readers and of those who

the readers can influence

• “exemplify your values and rouse emotions”

and stereotypical criteria

• accessible to very young children

• explicitly directive perspective which is characteristic of

environmental discourse, in an attempt to change discourses,

mentalities and the actions of the readers and of those who

the readers can influence

• “exemplify your values and rouse emotions”

Conclusions (3)

• specific strategy: children’s literature “gives Nature a voice

that children recognize not as the voice of society (…) but that

they recognize as ‘Nature itself’ speaking”

• specific strategy: children’s literature “gives Nature a voice

that children recognize not as the voice of society (…) but that

they recognize as ‘Nature itself’ speaking”

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• literature which has the child as the preferred readership

• responsibility toward their own environment

• the power of voice

• literature which has the child as the preferred readership

• responsibility toward their own environment

• the power of voice

Promoting ecoliteracy:

challenges of children’s literature

in the new millennium

R. RAMOS* & A. M. RAMOS** *University of Minho**University of Aveiro

Centre of Child StudiesPortugal

in the new millennium