The Wilderness Society

Why do you believe young children in particular need to read books about the natural world?

Shannon: We live in a time where screens often outnumber trees in a child’s line of sight, and yet the natural world is one of the most powerful teachers we’ll ever know. Books about nature help children slow down, notice, wonder, ask why?, and feel connected to the wider world around them. They aren’t just stories on a page. Books about nature are invitations to care, to empathise and to explore.

What were some of your favourite nature-themed books growing up?

Shannon: I’ll always have a soft spot for the books that first opened up the wild world to me. Animalia by Graeme Base absolutely dazzled me. It made the natural world feel intricate, abundant and worth lingering over. Every page was an invitation to look closer.

What wild places, or wildlife encounters, have had the biggest impact on you in your life?

Shannon: Standing before Uluru at dawn is something that settles into your bones. There’s a hush and a reverence in that early light. You become acutely aware of time, of story, of the ancientness of land. It’s not just a beautiful place; it’s a place that asks you to be still and to listen.

What are you excited to bring to the role of Nature Book Week Ambassador?

Shannon: I want to spark joy around nature storytelling through creativity, curiosity and celebration, and not just in classrooms, but in living rooms, backyards and parks. I love teaming picture books with creative projects that help children do as well as read- whether that’s drawing birds they’ve seen, making bark rubbings, or inventing tiny stories about mossy logs.

Why should people get involved in Nature Book Week this year?

Shannon: Because Nature Book Week is a literal and metaphorical breath of fresh air! It’s a chance to press pause on screens, step outside with a good book, and let young minds fall in love with the world that sustains us.