This World Green Roof Day, 6th June 2023, as well as celebrating the plethora of living roofs all around the globe, The Green Roof Organisation are launching a children’s book to help inspire the next generation of architects, ecologists, planners, green roofers and gardeners.
560 free copies of the book will be donated for free to schools and community groups on or around 6th June. Copies of the book can be purchased after World Green Roof Day with proceeds going to a GRO Education Fund.
About The Book
Journey to the Green Roof is written for youngsters of between three and ten years old. It aims to highlight some of the benefits of living roofs from the point of view of the insects that live and feed on them.
The characters are Freya the hairy footed flower bee and Sarah, the European seven spotted ladybird. Each are experiencing different challenges. Freya needs to find forage in an urban setting and Sarah wants a safe place to live. Both Freya and Sarah find an abundance of what they need when they land on a green roof. The book explores each creature’s journey to the green roof and relates their adventures along the way.
Journey to the Green Roof uses beautiful imagery and inspirational language to engage children’s imaginations. It is ideal for fledgling readers to read along. Equally this book is great for teachers to read aloud in class or for parents and carers to read to youngsters. For added value, children can also listening to a downloadable audio version. At the back of the book are some fun activities for readers to enjoy.
To keep the book as ethically sourced as possible, it has been printed using bio inks and the paper is sourced from World Lands Trust.
Teaching Children The Value Of Living Roofs
The school curriculum asks that young children should gain an understanding of environmental issues and learn how to respect and care for the world around them. But green roofs can also be used as an example whilst teaching arts and sciences. Indeed, many newbuild schools are blessed with their own green roofs.
Raising awareness of green roof technology may also introduce children to a range of careers. As well as green roofers, they could become architects, horticulturists, ecologists, water management experts, maintenance technicians, trainers or marketers. It really is becoming a big industry!
Journey to the Green Roof also teaches that the outside of our buildings can be as useful as the inside. The book may even open up discussions on the value of plants, insects, habitat, insulation and rainwater management.
As with any industry, but particularly one so aligned with the fight against climate change, education is key to the continued growth and development of products and technologies. Plus it’s important to make sure we have enough people entering the industry to ensure that the work can continue. Where better to start familiarising children with living roofs, than in the classroom?
With Thanks To Our Sponsors
The GRO Board thanks our members and other organisations that have sponsored this project and donated books to schools and community projects.
Particular thanks though must go to the author, Jenny Bailey and her talented team from Tales from Mother Earth. The inspiration and talent poured into writing, illustrating, narrating and publishing this wonderful book is second to none.
Thanks also to GRO Vice Chair, Chris Bridgman who has been heavily involved in the development of the book, and to past chair Mark Harris for continued involvement and support.
To purchase a copy of Journey to the Green Roof, please visit the Tales from Mother Earth website
If you are a GRO member and would like to be involved with future sponsorship opportunities, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact admin@greenrooforganisation.org
If you are a teacher, or involved with a community organisation, and would like to know more about the benefits of green roofs. You will likely enjoy the Introduction To Green Roofing training course provided by Lantra. It’s perfect for budding green roofers!
Need more inspiration? Take a look at some green roof projects.