A Deinze author and Hasselt illustrator create a children's book in collaboration with Jane Goodall and the Jane Goodall Institute Belgium.
Willow the Nature Hero is back with a brand-new adventure, and this time he has some special company!
None other than Jane Goodall, world-renowned biologist, anthropologist, and pioneer in chimpanzee research. The book, created in collaboration with the Jane Goodall Institute Belgium takes children aged 5 and up to the lush jungles of Tanzania.
In "Willow and Jane Bring Little Ava Home," we meet a young Jane who is passionate about observing chimpanzees. When a chimpanzee family is startled by menacing machinery and
flees, the little monkey Ava stays behind. Fortunately, Willow and Jane are nearby to help her. Together they brave the rainforest and set out to find Ava's family. A moving story about courage, conservation, and collaboration.
Nature heroes with a mission
Author Yasmine Versteele (Deinze) and illustrator Bente Pompen (Hasselt) chose to depict Jane Goodall as a child. They want to inspire young readers and show them that they, just like Jane, can make a difference. “By showing Jane as a child, her mission becomes more tangible for children. We want to show that you're never too small or too young to make a difference,” says Yasmine Versteele.
More than a story
Besides an exciting story, the book also offers a wealth of information. Children learn about the lives of chimpanzees, their eating habits, and their habitat in a playful way. Thanks to the index of 50 animal and plant species, the book can be read again and again in a surprising way. Every detail, every page offers new discoveries. Perfect for curious little nature heroes. Educational, heartwarming, and timely, this picture book invites children not only to dream of a better world but also to help build it themselves. For children aged 5 and up and for anyone inspired by nature and the legacy of Jane Goodall.
About Willow
Willow, the nature hero, was created during the filming of "Warre and the Three Willows," a Ketnet short film directed by Yasmine Versteele and filmed by Bente Pompen. Together they continue to build on a shared mission: helping children (re)discover nature. Willow, the nature hero, already has five books (three picture books, two toddler books, and a card game). The series has already been translated and published in three countries.
About the author
Yasmine Versteele (born 1993) is a film director and author with a passion for words and images. She loves to tell stories that seek impact and understanding for people and nature. She wants to use film and literature to express these stories and inspire and connect people with each other and their surroundings. Her short film "Belgian Blue" was screened at several international film festivals.
About the illustrator
Bente Pompen (born 1996) is a creative all-rounder with a great passion for color, nature, and stories. Her picture books have already been published in nine countries and languages. Next on her bucket list: Together with Yasmine, transform Willow, the nature hero, into an animated series!