The Eco-Diary of Kirin Singer.

Sylvia Pantaleo is an assistant professor of education specializing in
children’s literature at Queen’s University and the co-author of
Learning with Literature in the Canadian Elementary Classroom.

The book’s introduction provides readers with background information about Sue Alderson’s personal involvement with the restoration of the Camosun Bog in Vancouver. The Camosun Bog Restoration Group is working to repair and save the rare ecosystem that was nearly lost due to damaging human activity.

When 12-year-old Kiran asks her grandmother, “What can a kid do?” about the numerous environmental disasters humans are faced with globally, Grandma (a stand-in for Alderson) invites her fictional granddaughter to accompany her to work on the Camosun Bog. In a week-long diary Kiran records each day’s observations and reflections of the bog in free-flowing thoughts. The free verse poems reflect Kiran’s thoughts about and observations of the vegetation, insects, animals, and other organisms that inhabit the bog. She also writes about the Boggers themselves, other visitors to the bog, as well as other people’s stories about the bog.

The diary-like green cover of the book and the beautiful cattail endpages are eye-catching. The expressive poems are organized by days and each entry is listed in a table of contents. The poems communicate the synergistic and beautiful ecosystem of Camosun Bog, and readers will appreciate Alderson’s sensory language and Ballance’s lively images that accompany each poem. As well as a warning, the book celebrates this unique ecosystem and the efforts of those involved in the protection and restoration of Camosun Bog.

Information about the history and restoration project of Camosun Bog can be found at http://www.naturalhistory.bc.ca/CamosunBog/frames_main_menu.htm. Highly recommended.