BOOKS by a Looe author will be used as a springboard for children into action on climate change – and it’s hoped that the message from youngsters will reach world leaders in Cornwall at the G7 summit.

In the pages of “Buddy’s Rainforest Rescue” and “Hunter’s Icy Adventure” by Ellie Jackson, familiar animals are the central characters in true stories of survival.

Ellie’s previous Wild Tribe Heroes series of books on plastic pollution have already reached 1.5 million children: she’s received praise from Sir David Attenborough and Prince Charles for her contribution to raising awareness on environmental issues and bringing real change to communities.

More recently, Ellie has turned her focus to climate change, and has worked alongside Launceston illustrator Laura Callwood to produce the two newest books.

While juggling home-schooling for her four young children during the lockdown, Ellie has also raised around £4,000 so that the books and teaching resources that go alongside them can be made available to every primary school in Cornwall.

As the recipient of a “Projects that Matter” award of £1,000 from Cornwall Council and Newquay-based Crowdfunder in November, Ellie then had to crowdfund the remainder of the cash needed for the project.

Individuals, businesses and organisations in North and South East Cornwall particularly were fantastic in supporting the appeal, she said.

“I was really shocked to see how quickly people jumped on the post on their local Facebook groups and offered to help,” she said.

“For the Launceston and Looe communities it was pretty much fully funded within a few hours of posting, which is amazing!”

The first consignment of books has arrived in schools, and Ellie is encouraging schools and children to join in with a planned Cornwall Climate Action Day on June 11.

“Coping with lockdowns with four young children has been incredibly tough, as it has been for us all,” she said, “so I was overwhelmed to have such support from the Cornish community. Even in the middle of a pandemic, people continue to care passionately for our environment.

“I want to thank everyone for their kind and generous support which saw the project fully funded within just a couple of weeks.”

Among the local businesses behind the campaign were The Crabb Pot, The Upcycled Home Co, Webbers Estate Agents, Ver Facil Ltd and The Natural Store, as well as the St Austell and Bodmin Lions Clubs.

While the illustrations in the books transport children to the Arctic and the Indonesian rainforest, the messages within the pages act as a prompt to discuss the issues without being upsetting or overwhelming.

“It is so important to me that we engage with our children in the right way,” said Ellie.

“Children can feel really connected to the animals and the problems they face, yet all the books have happy endings with positive ideas for the future. I want children to feel inspired to make changes.

“I hope that in turn, children can motivate their families, schools and wider community to get involved.

“I believe that it is through a gentle and optimistic approach that we will see attitudes really change.

“We have already started the ball rolling in Cornwall on single use plastic – now let’s do this for climate change!”