The Tin Forest ( March 10, 2009)

My assistant and I kept on talking about the wonders of nature that surrounds us. I, for one love gardening and all the flowers and plants I collect. I enjoy the visits of the birds and the bugs. I cherish the beauty and the serenity as I am surrounded by greens. My assistant is a cat and insect lover. She cares for animals and bugs that she is keen in learning about them particularly how to culture insects as food.

We often ask in wonder until when can we see these beautiful creations as the world is changing at a fast pace. We often discuss the future of our surroundings as a lot of people ravages nature's gifts without conscience. We speak for the children in our class, in the school and in each and every child too young to understand what is about to happen.

After reading The Tin Forest by Helen Ward, I am amazed at the talent of the author as she makes an analogy of the world in danger with the existence of a dream. The beginning tells the story of a world filled with rubbish and one's man goal to make his surrounding clean. He dreams of a beautiful surrounding coupled with magnificent creatures and lively colours. One day, a busted light bulb gave him an idea and later transformed his earthly surroundings by making use of tin to create a forest of his dream. Unnatural but extremely splendid, he was able to create a masterpiece. Then since that dream carries with it hope, a bird started to make the forest alive by contributing seeds and inviting its friends to visit and live in the tin forest. The rest of the pages become an unfolding drama of nature's best, metals and real nature combined.

Wayne Anderson, the illustrator, created the first few pages with colours of grey, a picture of a huge load of rubbish and bad weather. And as one flips the page, colours emanate as the gift of nature slowly unfolds its splendour. Thus, the vivid illustrations give life to the words of the author.

I do hope that the world will remain lovely and exciting to live in. I wouldn't want the children of the next generation to live surrounded by representations rather than what is real. Let's do our share.