Beasts at Bedtime

Product Description

Talking lions, philosophical bears, very hungry caterpillars, wise spiders, altruistic trees, companionable moles, urbane elephants—these captivating characters delight children at bedtime. Beyond the engaging narratives, many children’s books also impart profound teachings about the natural world, fostering an educated and engaged appreciation of the dynamic environment children inhabit.

In Beasts at Bedtime, scientist and father Liam Heneghan explores the environmental themes in children’s stories. From Beatrix Potter to Harry Potter, Heneghan reveals the universal insights into our intricate relationship with nature found in many classic tales. As the current generation faces escalating environmental challenges like climate instability, the extinction crisis, freshwater depletion, and deforestation, they will bear the brunt of these issues but also have the potential to contribute to solutions if properly prepared. Heneghan shows that the nature curriculum is already embedded in bedtime stories, from early board books like The Rainbow Fish to contemporary young adult classics like The Hunger Games.

This book both captivates and educates. Beasts at Bedtime will help parents, teachers, and guardians transform cozy reading times into a lifelong commitment to caring for our planet.

Additional Information