Introducing the Pedantic Puffin
Meet the Pedantic Puffin, here to enhance nature connection in pre-school books.
I'm indulging in a little project over the summer that I've been mulling for a while. I'd like to introduce you to the Pedantic Puffin.
The idea grew out of my frustration with some of the books I was reading to my sons featuring inaccurate portrayals of wildlife and the language used to describe the natural world. I have a lot of wildlife-loving parent pals, including biologists, naturalists, wildlife filmmakers and conservation champions who all agree some of the reading material could do better. Rather than unstructured criticism, I want to share tweaks to enhance nature connections for both children and parents alike.
Perhaps you think this is 'making an undue display of learning'? Well, that's the definition of pedantry (from the French pédant or Italian pedante meaning schoolmaster) so you're spot on. To make the concept more appealing, I've put a bird on it. Frequently called 'clowns of the sea' for their brightly coloured bills and unique eye markings, puffins are undeniably charismatic. When publishing giant Penguin was launching a specialist children's imprint, the puffin was an obvious choice of eponym. Puffin books launched in 1939 with a series of non-fiction books for young readers so I'm following (waddling) in some big literary footsteps.
Inspired by these beloved monochrome mascots of publishing, I drew and painted a puffin based on a photograph by Simon Boivin on the Cornell Lab's All About Birds website. I couldn't resist including the splashes of orange and yellow, and I've added a 'mortarboard' or academic cap, the iconic schoolmaster's hat. Hopefully this all signals there will be some playful learning ahead so take a seat and enjoy the lessons!
